Philadelphia Water Commissioner Approves New Rate Structure Next The Next Great City coalition can check another agenda item off our list! Philadelphia Water Commissioner Bernard Brunwasser has approved a new rate structure and regulations for stormwater management that will provide incentives to businesses and institutions to reduce their water runoff. “Managing stormwater is vital to our economy, our environment and the public health,” said Mayor Michael A. Nutter. “And this decision moves us one giant step forward in meeting the federal clean water standards and implementing our Greenworks Philadelphia goal: to make our city the greenest in the nation.” Previous stormwater charges were based on how much water a property used, which bears little relation to its contribution to stormwater runoff. The new charges will be based on the size of and amount of impervious surface. The decision will make it profitable for property owners to address stormwater runoff by planting more trees, installing a green roof or using porous pavement. PWD will also work with Next Great City on a pilot program to study expanding the credit program to residential customers. Congratulations to everyone involved! Big Win for NGC Stormwater Action! Next Great City has now achieved a victory in our recommendation to Stop Sewer Backups & Flooding. The hearing officer appointed to evaluate proposed changes to the Water Department’s rates for stormwater services agreed with our recommendation to change the way stormwater fees are assessed for nonresidential properties. The hearing officer recommended that stormwater fees be based on the amount of a property’s impervious surface rather than on water usage, a much more accurate reflection of the burden each property places on the sewer system and our rivers and streams. The hearing officer also recommended implementation of a credit program, which will allow non-residential customers to reduce their bills by taking steps that reduce the stormwater runoff that their properties generate. Finally, he also adopted our recommendation that PWD work with Next Great City to develop a residential stormwater credit pilot program and produce a written report and recommendation for such a program to be addressed in the next rate proceeding. The Philadelphia Water Commissioner should issue his decision on whether to accept this recommendation shortly, and we have every reason to expect a good outcome. Stay tuned! Green Model Neighborhoods
As part of the rate case, the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) has agreed to create pilots to green Philadelphia neighborhoods to better manage stormwater (rain or melting snow) runoff before it enters storm drains. This would consequently improve our quality of life by improving water quality, making neighborhoods cooler in the summer and increasing home values. As part of this effort they are introducing a pilot program, Model Neighborhoods, in conjunction with their “Green Cities, Clean Waters” initiative. Backwater Valve Program Starting in July of 2007, the Philadelphia Water Department began installing "backwater" valves in flood-prone homes in South Philadelphia, Northern Liberties and Old Kensington and Washington Square West. PWD is spending $3 million to provide the valves at no cost to the homeowner. To qualify for a valve, an applicant must be a propety owner of record, live in the affected neighborhoods, be up to date on water and sewer payments, and sign an agreement that once the work is done the homeowner will be responsible for maintaining the devices. A hotline has been set up for inquiries about the valves- 215-685-6300. Fair Use Fee Proposed in 5-yr Plan In his 5-year Financial Plan for the City, Mayor Nutter supported the recommendation to pass an ordinance to reallocate the way that stormwater fees are colelcted to be based on gross and impervous area. This change would incentive stormwater best practices while also making sure that those that contribute to stormwater problems pay a fair fee.
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