Have you ever noticed a ‘stormwater charge’ on your water bill and wondered – what’s that for? If so, you’re not alone. Many Philadelphians struggle to understand this fee on their monthly water bill. In this blog, we’re tackling that question head on.

What is stormwater?

When it rains, the water drains into the City’s sewers. In a natural environment, this water would absorb into the ground. But in a city like Philadelphia, it runs off roofs and pavements, onto streets, and makes its way through storm drains and into sewers. This is what’s called stormwater. Along the way, it picks up and mixes with dirt, oil, among other pollutants.

In some areas, stormwater flows right into our waterways. In others, it mixes with sewage and waste from homes and is treated at one of Philadelphia’s three treatment plants.

If not properly managed, stormwater causes serious damage to our rivers. It can also cause flooding in our neighborhoods. The good news is that the City is working hard to reduce stormwater pollution entering our streams. This is where your monthly stormwater fee comes in.

It provides revenue that helps the City:

In Philly, all properties, including vacant lots, pay a monthly service fee for stormwater management. Residential properties pay a monthly flat rate of $16.86. Non-residential and condominium properties pay at least $17.40 per month. The non-residential fee is based on the total area of your property and the size of the surfaces that don’t absorb stormwater.

Lowering your bill

A great way to lower your bill is by managing stormwater on your property. The Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) offers grants to help non-residential properties develop green tools, such as trees and plants, to reduce stormwater runoff. This helps you qualify for one or more stormwater credits, reducing your monthly stormwater bill.

Visit https://water.phila.gov/stormwater/ for more information about stormwater and stormwater billing.

Watch this video to help you understand your stormwater charge.