Stormwater fee credits · Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh Water Residential Stormwater Credit Program

Run by Pittsburgh Water (PWSA)

OpenPlan requiredLast checked October 17, 2026
What you get
50% reduction of the residential stormwater charge (page describes it as moving to the next lower tier; Tier 1 gets 50%). Dollar amounts not published on the program page.
Who qualifies
Owners of residential properties (1-4 dwelling units, not condominiums) in the PWSA stormwater fee area, with a qualifying maintained control measure.
Where
Owners of 1-4 unit residential properties (not condos) in Pittsburgh Water's stormwater fee area.
Status
Open. (no deadline; manual dated Jan 2022, program page accessed 2026-10-17)
Type of payment
Fee credit
Official program page

What you do

Install (or document an existing) stormwater control such as a rain garden, cistern, dry well or modular storage that captures and slowly releases 3/4 inch of runoff from your impervious surfaces, and apply for a reduced stormwater fee.

Requirements

  • Control measure must capture runoff for 24 to 72 hours and slowly release at least 3/4 inch of runoff from the property's impervious area
  • Required volume in gallons = impervious sq ft x 0.0625 x 7.48 (e.g. 2,000 sq ft needs 935 gal)
  • Measure types per PA Stormwater BMP Manual Worksheet 5 (e.g. rain garden, cistern, dry well, green roof, modular storage)
  • Owner must maintain the facility; PWSA may inspect and can end the credit if not maintained
  • Credit lasts 3 years, then renewal form with owner's written inspection report and photo is required
  • Incomplete applications expire after 1 year

The plan or design it asks for

Rain gardens: site plan or design drawing showing dimensions (with profile), the property's impervious area, area draining to the garden, plus at least two photos. Calculations of runoff controlled required on the application.

Native plant lists for the area: Pittsburgh

Make the plan in Sow

Draw the layout and build the plant list

Sow places plants on a photo of your yard and keeps a list of everything you add. Check Pittsburgh Water's rules for exactly what to submit.

Start a plan in Sow

How to apply

  1. 1Find your impervious area on your stormwater bill or the PWSA Stormwater Fee Finder
  2. 2Calculate the required runoff volume and confirm your measure meets it
  3. 3Submit the Stormwater Fee Credit Application online (preferred) or email the paper form with documents to [email protected] or mail to PWSA Engineering and Construction
  4. 4PWSA reviews and notifies by letter or email
  5. 5Renew every 3 years

Timing and deadlines

Manual says review within 3 days, possibly up to 30 days depending on volume

Renewal every 3 years

Combining it with other programs

Not published

Sources

Last checked October 17, 2026. See something out of date? Tell us.

Sow is not affiliated with any of these agencies or utilities. Amounts and rules change, often at the start of a fiscal year, so confirm the details on the official page before you start a project. How we research these programs

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