How Do Stormwater Rates Work?

• Stormwater runoff contains contaminants such as motor oil, pesticides, automotive fuel, industrial waste and other chemicals that pollute streams and rivers.
• Every parcel of land in the city, including residential, commercial, institutional and public properties, is billed by the Philadelphia Water Department for management of the stormwater it produces.
• Philadelphia stormwater fees are being recalculated based on the amount of impervious surface (such as parking lots, sidewalks, driveways and buildings) that a parcel contains, and the new fee structure is being phased in between 2010 and 2014.
• Parcels with greater amounts of impervious surface produce larger amounts of stormwater, and as such are charged higher rates for stormwater management.

For More Information:
How Are Stormwater Rates Calculated?
Stormwater Billing Information
Stormwater FAQ For Non-Residential Customers
View Your Parcel’s Impervious Surface Area

How Can I Reduce My Stormwater Rates?

• Non-residential customers, including businesses, institutions, non-profits and public agencies, can reduce their stormwater rates and help clean up our waterways by implementing green infrastructure projects.
• Green infrastructure projects include: Rain Gardens, Green Roofs, Basins and Ponds, Wetlands, Swales, Underground Projects, Downspout Planters, Rainwater Harvesting, Porous Pavement and Reducing Impervious Surfaces.
• Projects that reduce the amount of impervious surface on a site can result in a stormwater credit that will permanently reduce your water bill.
• Technical assistance in developing stormwater management projects is available through the Green Guide For Property Management.
• Philadelphia Water Department and the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation offer the Stormwater Management Incentives Program. The SMIP Grant will provide financial assistant to non-residential property owners who desire to build green stormwater infrastructure to manage private property runoff. The SMIP loan provides low-interest (1.00%) loans in the amount of $75,000 to $1,000,000 to assist non-residential customers in implementing stormwater mitigation measures.

For More Information:
Stormwater Management Credits and Appeals Information
Green Guide For Property Management
Stormwater Management Incentives Program Loan Fact Sheet
Stormwater Management Incentives Program Grant Fact Sheet

Contact Us

Questions about stormwater fee credits? pwd.stormwatercredits@phila.gov

Questions about stormwater fee appeals? pwd.stormwaterappeals@phila.gov

General Stormwater Questions? pwd.stormwater@phila.gov

Or call us at: (215) 685-6143 or (215) 685-4935