The Town of Reading is required to comply with the NPDES Phase II Storm Water General Permit established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This permit requires the Town to develop a Storm Water Management Plan that reduces the discharge of pollutants to the storm drain system and water ways.
In order to properly manage this program the Town has established a Storm Water Utility, which will be funded by an enterprise fund, not unlike that of the water and sewer utilities. Properties will be assessed an annual fee based on the amount of impervious surface on the lot, which will be billed quarterly. Undeveloped property will not be assessed a storm water fee.
In an effort to encourage property owners to minimize the amount of runoff from their properties, which will help reduce the amount of pollutants entering the Towns waterways, an abatement program has been instituted.
ABATEMENTS
• Residential properties that install infiltration systems or other means to reduce runoff will be eligible for an abatement
of up to 50% of their total assessment.
• Commercial/industrial/multi-family properties that install and maintain state-of-the-art storm water treatment and
infiltration systems will be eligible for an abatement of up to 50% of their total assessment.
TYPICAL STORM WATER DEVICES THAT QUALIFY FOR ABATEMENTS
• Drywells
• Infiltration Chambers
• Detention Ponds
DEVICES THAT DO NOT QUALIFY FOR ABATEMENTS
• Drinking water filtration systems
• Rain Barrels
• Sump Pumps
Property owners seeking additional information or who would like to file for an abatement should contact the Department of Public Works, Engineering Division.
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