Small municipalities face tremendous financial burden in managing stormwater and complying with water quality regulations. Enacted and enforced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, these regulations, while beneficial, caused Highspire Borough to search for alternative funding for maintaining stormwater management facilities.

RETTEW began assisting the Borough by presenting stormwater information to Borough residents in a public forum, outlining why a fee was needed. We then completed a stormwater fee study to establish a permanent funding source. Forming a Stormwater Committee with municipal staff and Borough residents, RETTEW facilitated four Committee meetings and presented information on current and future stormwater system costs, different rate structures, and revenue projections. Using this information, the Committee recommended to the Borough Council a final rate structure to meet the Borough’s stormwater management program funding needs.

With a sustainable funding source provided by the fee, the Borough will implement a stormwater management program to improve the existing system and provide a more comprehensive service to Borough residents.