Permeable pavers installed at Kentucky Ave. in Shadyside

Your PGH2O bill will look a little different – it will now include a line item for stormwater services. Our new bill explainer illustrates what to expect. 

Historically, stormwater services were funded through wastewater rates, which are based on water usage. This meant that those using more wastewater services paid more towards stormwater services. 

The new stormwater fee, which went into effect on January 12, 2022, is calculated based on the hard or impervious surfaces on a property like roofs, driveways, and parking lots. This ensures that all property owners in Pittsburgh contribute a share that is proportional to the amount of runoff generated by their property. This is a more equitable way to distribute these costs, and customers may notice their wastewater rates go down accordingly.

How much is the stormwater fee? 

Calculating the stormwater fee meant that we needed to understand the amount of hard surface on each property in Pittsburgh. Using aerial photography, we mapped the entire city and determined that the average amount of impervious surface on a single-family residential property is approximately 1,650 square feet. This is equal to one equivalent residential unit (ERU) of impervious surface and is accepted as the industry standard unit of measure. The new stormwater fee is applied to all residential and non-residential properties in Pittsburgh with the rate table below.

Can I reduce my stormwater fee? 

Income qualified customers enrolled in the Bill Discount Program will receive an 85% discount on the stormwater fee. This is in addition to the other benefits available through the Bill Discount Program. More information about this and other customer assistance programs is available at www.pgh2o.com/cap. 

Additionally, we have established a credit program for customers who choose to manage stormwater on their properties by installing a stormwater system such as a rain garden or underground storage. Residential and non-residential customers can earn stormwater credit by meeting certain requirements and maintaining their stormwater systems. The Credit Manual and Application are available at www.pgh2o.com/stormwater-fee. 

Customers can also replace paved surfaces with a garden or vegetated area. Reducing hard surfaces could lead to an overall fee reduction. 

Is more information available? 

Visit our website at www.pgh2o.com/stormwater-fee for more information. It is your one-stop shop for all things pertaining to the new stormwater charge - including our searchable Fee Finder Website. If you have questions, please email info@pgh2o.com.