A "green" city plan to reduce storm water runoff

By Sandy Bauers
Inquirer Staff Writer

Storm water is nasty and dirty and can cause flooding. So the sooner it gets off a property, the better.

But it's about to become valuable stuff in Philadelphia. Businesses can make money by embracing it. Or face losing money if they let it go.

This week, the Water Department is sending notices to 79,000 commercial customers about a new billing structure for storm water that will begin in July.

As always, there will be winners and losers.

By the end of a four-year phase-in period, at least 1,500 customers could see an increase of $500 or more a month in their bills, said Joanne Dahme, public affairs manager for the department's Office of Watersheds.

About three dozen unlucky customers could see hikes of more than $10,000 a month.

But the program isn't just a stick. As a carrot, it's offering discounts for those who reduce runoff.

The program will not affect residential customers.

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