Harrisburg Utility Sues State Over $2.4M Stormwater Fees

Capital Region Water has sued Pennsylvania in Commonwealth Court, seeking to make the state pay stormwater fees for the Capitol Complex and other state-owned properties in Harrisburg. The utility says the state’s refusal to pay costs it about $475,000 a year and argues the charges are service fees based on runoff from paved surfaces, not taxes; Pennsylvania maintains its properties are tax-exempt. CRW says state properties use the same stormwater infrastructure as other customers, and that residents and businesses could face increases of at least 50% if they must cover the shortfall. The dispute comes as the city works to upgrade its aging, largely combined sewer system, which can overflow during heavy rain or snowmelt and send untreated sewage and stormwater into local waterways.