On Friday, April 25th, the Water Department and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Philadelphia District joined the Overbrook community for a ribbon-cutting celebrating the daylighting of the West Branch of Indian Creek. Daylighting, is the process of bringing a buried stream back above ground. Like many of Philadelphia’s historic waterways, the West Branch of Indian Creek was culverted and burried underground, becoming part of the City’s sewer network. Now, for the first time since 1928, the creek is flowing naturally and available once again for the community to enjoy.

To complete the project, 750 feet of new stream bed and 1,300 feet of reconfigured stream channel, were constructed. Additionally, the old sewer culvert, which once contained the creek, was converted to hold stormwater. As a result of these efforts an estimated 1.7 million gallons of stormwater will be kept out of our waterways, reducing one of the largest sources of water pollution in our region.

Dozens of community members joined PWD and the Army Corps for the event. Special guests included: U.S. Congressman Robert Brady, Philadelphia City Councilman Curtis Jones, Jr., State Senator Vincent Hughes and State Representative Louise Bishop.  After the opening ceremony and cutting of the ribbon, PWD engineers, Erik Haniman and Rick Howley, gave a tour of the surrounding areas associated with the Indian Creek. To brighten the sunny day even more, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society provided trees for a ceremonial tree planting.

The restoration of Indian Creek was made possible by the collaboration of U.S. Representative Robert Brady, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Philadelphia District, Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, the Philadelphia Water Department and most importantly the support and patience of the Overbrook Community.

In other news, the Philadelphia Parks Alliance is excited to announce that, with support from the William Penn Foundation, the Alliance is researching park and public open space programming in Philadelphia and programming best practices from around the country.Please take a few minutes to complete the Parks Alliance's Program Survey for your chance to to win a $100 gift certificate to historic Valley Green Inn, in the Wissahickon!

As part of our week-long celebration of Earth Day, PWD joined other utilities and non-profits at the Energy Awareness Festival on Thursday. Taking place on the Marine Parade Grounds at the Navy Yard, the festival included representatives from The Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC), the Clean Air Council, Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW), and more!

As part of the event, PWD brought out our trusty, kid-friendly “Sewer in a Suitcase.” This 3D model shows how stormwater can cause an overflow of polluted water into our creeks and rivers. All the participants who visited our table learned more about Green City, Clean Waters and how each person can make a difference by doing simple things like installing a rain barrel. Happy Earth Week!

Last week PWD picked up the pace of the green schools program with three fantastic events!

On Wednesday, judges gathered at the Fairmount Water Works to pick winners from the GreenSTEM Challenge.  Students from three schools: George W. Nebinger, Albert M. Greenfield and Cook-Wissahickon, designed creative containers to hold environmental sensors that measure factors like soil moisture. Judges based their selections on creativity, use of materials and constructability to choose thee winning designs: a sword in the stone, a spider and a futuristic light-up, disco-esk dome. Visit GreenStem Challenge for images of the imaginative designs.

On Thursday, George W. Nebinger School hosted representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency, the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary and PWD to celebrate the new green school yard. All three agencies helped fund and coordinate the project that removed pavement and replaced it with a rain garden. Music students welcomed the guests with a touching performance of “In the Jungle” and “Put a Little Love in Your Heart” before a discussion of the site and the Urban Watershed Curriculum.

To top off the week, students from Greenfield Elementary formed a human chain from Center City to the Schuylkill River in celebration of winning the Green Ribbon School Award. Awarded to Greenfield in 2013 by the US Department of Education, this award recognizes the school as a model educational community of green practices. The human chain of 500 people connected the city to the river through the outstretched arms of children, parents, teachers and everyone who took part!