Harrisburg residents and businesses could face stormwater rate increases of at least 50% if Pennsylvania continues refusing to pay fees on state-owned properties.
That risk is part of a court fight between the utility and the state, with CRW arguing that costs tied to the Capitol Complex and other publicly owned properties are being pushed onto Harrisburg customers instead.
Here’s what to know
According to WGAL, Capital Region Water has asked Commonwealth Court to determine that Pennsylvania must pay stormwater fees on Harrisburg state-owned properties. The utility estimates the state’s refusal to pay is costing about $475,000 each year.
A key issue is runoff from state-owned sites, including water that drains off roofs, parking lots, and other hard surfaces. CRW says water enters the same Harrisburg stormwater system used by homes and private businesses, adding pressure to already strained infrastructure…