3 Hearings In Philadelphia On Discounted Stormwater Rate For Community Gardens

The Philadelphia Water Department is hosting three more hearings on a proposal to establish a discounted stormwater fee for community gardens.  The hearings will be held--

-- November 14: Community Room at Villas Del CARIBE, 167 W. Allegheny Avenue, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.;

-- November 16: Conversation Hall, Room 201, City Hall, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; and

-- November 18: Fumo Branch of the Free Library, 2437 S. Broad Street, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

On June 28, Philadelphia Mayor James F. Kenney signed an ordinance passed by Philadelphia City Council that allows community gardens a special discounted rate for stormwater services.

The ordinance directs the Rate Board to establish a special discounted stormwater charge, in an amount up to and including 100 percent, for approved community gardens.

As a result, the Board may exempt community gardens from paying a monthly stormwater charge, as long as the gardens meet the criteria in the ordinance.

If a full stormwater charge exemption is granted to community gardens, the revenue loss to the Water Department is small enough that all other existing rates and charges will not increase for the remainder of the current Rate Period.

For more information, visit the Philadelphia Water Department 2016 Special Rates Filing webpage.

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