Today, July 1st, updated Stormwater Regulations for development projects became effective. In addition, Philadelphia Water unveiled a brand new website, redesigned to provide easy access to the Stormwater Management Guidance Manual and to submit a project application online.
Philadelphia Water is making changes to our Stormwater Regulations to meet Federal and State requirements under the Clean Water Act. These changes will affect projects submitting a complete online application (ERSA) on or after July 1, 2015. Projects submitted prior to July 1st will be subject to the current Regulations.
A summary of the changes has been provided below. If you have questions about the changes to the Stormwater Regulations and Plan Review Process, please email [email protected], call 215-685-6387, or share your feedback online.
Improvements to the Plan Review process:
- Streamlined ERSA application
- More access to Plan Review Staff through email and in-person meetings
- On-line Stormwater Management Guidance Manual in easy-to-use format
- New website with user log-on and site-wide search functionality among resources
- New expedited review track for surface vegetated SMPs
| Current | July 2015 | |
| Water Quality Volume | 1.0” | 1.5” |
| Water Quality Rate (Combined Sewer) | 0.24 cfs/acre | 0.05 cfs/acre |
| Water Quality Treatment (Combined Sewer) | 20% Volume Reducing | 100% Pollutant Reducing |
| Water Quality Treatment (Separate Sewer) | 100% Volume Reducing | 100% Pollutant Reducing |
| Minimum Orifice Diameter | 3 inches | 1 inch (traditional orifice) |
| ½ inch (underdrain orifice) | ||
| Surface Loading Ratio | 10:1 | 16:1 |
| Subsurface Loading Ratio | 5:1 | 8:1 |
| Bioretention Soil Volume Credit | None | 20% Void Space |
| Minimum Infiltration Rate | 0.5 in/hr | 0.4 in/hr |
| Disconnection Practices | No changes | |
