Water Rate Board Announces the Release of Its Rate Determination
for the Proposed Stormwater Fee Discount for Community Gardens
(Philadelphia, December 22, 2016) – Chairman Bernard Brunwasser announced today that the Water, Sewer and Stormwater Rate Board has issued its Determination on the Special Rate Discount for eligible community gardens. Based on information supplied by the Water Department and testimony from organizations and citizens, the Board has approved a 100 percent special discount for community gardens effective January 1, 2017.

On June 28, 2016, Mayor James F. Kenney signed an ordinance passed by Council that allows community gardens a special discounted rate for stormwater management services (Bill No. 160523, codified at Section 19-1603 of the Philadelphia Code). The ordinance directed the Rate Board to establish a special discounted stormwater charge, in an amount up to and including 100 percent, for qualifying community gardens, to take effect January 1, 2017. Community gardens must meet, at a minimum, the following primary criteria:

•    the property’s principal use is for growing crops and for related issues,
•    a community group operates the garden for public benefit, and
•    stormwater is sustainably managed on at least 80% of the property.

The Neighborhood Gardens Trust (NGT), the Village of Arts and Humanities (Village), and Norris Square Neighborhood Project (NSNP) sought and were granted formal participant status. These entities stated that each is “committed to preserving and promoting community gardening in the Philadelphia area and would be directly impacted by the Water Rate Board’s decision regarding stormwater fee exemptions.”

Four public input hearings were held through November 18.  All hearings were open to the public and were advertised consistent with Rate Board regulations. Twenty-eight individuals provided public testimony on behalf of more than 30 neighborhood gardens, concerned citizens, and public interest groups. In addition to testimony received from the public at the hearings, the Board received written comments from 13 individuals or organizations. No one testified against the proposed discount.

For additional information, please visit www.Phila.gov/Water/Rateboard.