Stormwater Program
Like other communities, Somerset Borough had managed stormwater through a series of pipes, inlets and swales that convey water when it rains. The costs of maintaining the infrastructure and addressing flooding concerns fell onto the Borough Taxpayers. Proactive maintenance and improvements are necessary to provide a functioning system. This includes regular operation, maintenance, repairs, administrative coordination, upgrades, expansion and replacements over time. In evaluating the most equitable approach to paying for the necessary improvements and upgrades that impact quality of life, a stormwater fee was recommended as a revenue source. On November 20th, 2023, the Municipal Authority of the Borough of Somerset took ownership of the stormwater infrastructure. The storm water system owned by the Municipal Authority of the Borough of Somerset and managed by the Borough of Somerset includes all stormwater collection and conveyance facilities in the Borough of Somerset. These facilities include catch basins, inlets, manholes, conveyance piping, swales, roadway curbs, culverts, and other post-construction stormwater management (PCSM) best management practices (BMPs).
A Stormwater Management Fee Study was completed by the Borough’s Engineer to provide recommendation on an equitable fee structure. This fee structure proposes to start by providing revenue for operations and maintenance of the system for the first couple of years. There is also a Sanitary Sewer Replacement Project (multi-year) that is in the planning stages and planned for construction starting as soon as late 2025, that will incorporate stormwater infrastructure replacement and upgrades. The rate will slowly increase to begin funding planned capital improvement projects which will include replacement, enhancement and expansion of the existing stormwater infrastructure.
The Borough of Somerset includes 2,835 individual properties with varying amounts of impervious and pervious area. The impervious area contained on each property contributes to increased volumes and runoff rates of stormwater creating the need to have a stormwater management system. To learn more about the stormwater management program, please review the Stormwater Management Fee Study and the FAQ page.
Starting in January 2025, it is proposed that residents who own parcels in the Borough limits will begin seeing a stormwater fee added to their water and sewer bill or will receive a separate bill for a stormwater fee. The proposed Rate Schedule can be found here:
Stormwater Rate Structure
It is encouraged that the Borough Residents notify the Borough of any stormwater related incidents and report illicit discharges from stormwater outfalls. It is important to remember that this program covers stormwater, the flow of water that results from precipitation and which occurs immediately following rainfall or because of snowmelt, not sewage. These incidents can be reported through our reporter tool below or simply calling into the Borough office at 443-2661. What to expect after reporting an incident? The Borough will investigate and either provide recommendations to the residents, perform maintenance measures, or plan for a future project, depending on the location and type of incident.
What does Stormwater runoff look like during an event?
This is an example of an outfall that you would report to the Borough.
Stormwater System versus Sanitary Sewer System
We can all do our part to keep the waterways clean.
ARCGIS Stormwater Incident Reporter
The goal is to maximize the quality of stormwater, while reducing the quantity of stormwater. Together we can work together to provide safe, clean and healthy waterways for the citizens of the Borough of Somerset, visitors and surrounding communities.
If You See Something, Say Something
One source of water pollution is unfortunately illegal dumping. It can take the form of someone dumping material down a storm drain, such as used antifreeze or motor oil, or other waste products. Storm drains should ONLY receive storm water. Water entering storm drains eventually flows into streams which, in our Borough, is the Youghiogheny watershed. On rare occasion commercial haulers of wastes have also been known to take a less expensive disposal option and dump materials into waterways.
If you see any illegal dumping into streams or storm sewers, report it by calling 911.
you see that a harmful substance has entered a stream and killed fish, report it directly to the PA Fish and Boat Commissions Pollution Hotline at 855-347-4445 or the PA Dept. of Environmental Protection at 1-800-541-2050 (24/7).
Related Links
When it Rains, it Drains - Brochure