Radnor: $2 Million Needed from Property Owners for Stormwater Management

No one can deny that stormwater continues to cause more flooding and damage in Radnor Township.

Since revenue to support a stormwater program comes from property taxes, it must compete with other funding needs. Also, only taxable properties contribute to funding stormwater management, according to a pamphlet mailed to all Radnor residents.

So the township is evaluating an alternative approach to fund enhancements to the township’s current stormwater program. An additional $2M is estimated to be needed on an annual basis to begin to address these long-term challenges, according to Radnor.

The proposed program would, on average, provide an additional $1.2M for Capital Improvements, $550k for Operation and Maintenance Activities and $120k for Compliance and Asset Management related activities per year, according to the township.

The League of Women Voters of Radnor is holding a public informational session on Thursday, August 29 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Township Building, 301 Iven Avenue in Wayne. 

The event will feature a presentation of the storm water program funding study and an opportunity to ask questions and provide comments.

Two additional sessions are scheduled for September 12 at 1:00 and 7:00 p.m.

“Pennsylvania’s Storm Water Management Act (Act 167) became law in 1978.  Since that time, counties have been adopting plans to address issues on a watershed basis while local municipalities have been charged to adopt ordinances to comply with such plans,” according to the League of Women Voters. “Thanks to the passage of Act 68 of 2013, local governments now have a clear legal basis to create authorities on their own or jointly to acquire, construct, operate and/or fund projects.”

What Activities Would be Funded by a Dedicated Stormwater Fee?

According to Radnor:

• Capital Improvements projects focused on system upgrades in support of flood mitigation and water quality protection.

• Increased inspections of new and existing stormwater management features to ensure proper operation.

• Proactive infrastructure maintenance, including inspection, cleaning, and rehabilitation of pipes, inlets, ditches, and culverts.

• Watershed planning to help identify which projects are most effective meeting Township infrastructure management, water quality, and flood mitigation goals.