PhillyWatersheds.org

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Eadom Street Depaving Project

May 31, 2011

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Philadelphia’s first depaving project at Eadom and Bridge streets—located just west of I-95 in Frankford—is well underway. PWD's Waterways Restoration Team coordinated with neighborhood volunteers to depave a portion of the parking lot and install and plant the first of six rain gardens planned for the site. Once completed, the Eadom Street Project will convert 10,000 square feet of impervious concrete to rain gardens that allow stormwater to infiltrate the soil instead of flowing into our sewers. Not only do green infrastructure projects such as rain gardens help protect our waterways and beautify the neighborhood, they also reduce stormwater bills for property owners. Best of all, the residents who came out on Saturday, April 30, saw a complete transformation in just one morning of work. Stay tuned for news of further plantings and volunteer opportunities at Eadom Street.

Learn more about depaving projects for residents.

Meet Our New Best Friends

May 31, 2011

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When we put out a call to find Philly Water's Best Friend, more than 85 dogs answered and thousands (yes, thousands!) of votes were cast online. On May 7, two canine pageants took place—one in East Falls and one in Manayunk—to test the special talents of these dogs and evaluate everything from their eco-friendly lifestyles to their dreams for Philadelphia. In exchange for the title of Philly Water’s Best Friend, these ambassadogs will attend community events, handing out brochures and biodegradable bag dispensers to raise awareness of pollution caused by pet waste. The purpose of the Philly Water’s Best Friend Competition is to reduce water pollution by teaching pet owners the importance of picking up dog waste.

The spokesdog pageant featured special guests and judges, including Mayor Michael Nutter, PWD commissioner Howard Neukrug and State Representative Pamela A. DeLissio. And the winners are: Molson, a pit bull/German shepherd/Husky mix from East Falls; and Teddie (pictured above with owner Lindsey McClennen and Mayor Nutter), the golden doodle from Manayunk/Roxborough. Congratulations to our new ambassadogs!

Check out our spokesdog page for more info and a slideshow of the contestants.

The Big Green Block

May 31, 2011

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Philadelphia Water continues to work with a coalition of local nonprofits and community groups on the Big Green Block, a multi-component sustainability project at and around Shissler Recreation Center and the Kensington High School for the Creative and Performing Arts. Green stormwater projects at the site include stormwater tree trenches and two rain gardens that are designed to manage runoff from approximately 1.2 acres.

PWD's partners in the project include the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, New Kensington Community Development Corporation, Sustainable 19125, Mural Arts Program and Philadelphia Parks and Recreation. Check in with Sustainable 19125's blog to keep up to date on local events.

Locate this project on our Big Green Map.

Here are a few photos:

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Our Solar System

May 24, 2011

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In April, the City of Philadelphia unveiled its first solar photovoltaic system (above), located at PWD's Southeast Water Pollution Control Plant. The 250-kilowatt solar array consists of more than 1,000 panels covering 60,000 square feet, and its electricity will help power the energy-intensive task of water treatment. The project's total cost of $1.7 million—funded jointly by a Recovery Act Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant and PWD—is expected to have a 9-year payback period and helps to achieve Mayor Michael Nutter's Greenworks goal of generating 20 percent of Philadelphia's electricity from alternative energy sources by 2015.

"PWD is proud to use clean, sustainable power generated on-site," said PWD commissioner Howard Neukrug at the solar PV installation on April 25. "Because this project was so successful, we’re planning to replicate it at other treatment plants.”

More info and a fact sheet about the solar panels can be found at the Philadelphia Recovery Office's website.

Video of the installation after the jump.

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Boats On Parade

May 20, 2011

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Forget the Dad Vail Regatta—this Sunday, the Tidal Schuylkill Festival wraps up with a non-motorized boat parade, with awards being handed out for "creativity, gall and garishness." Put the finishing touches on your Mummer's-brigade boat or Lady Gaga canoe and head to the Bartram's Garden Meadow at 4 p.m. to launch a craft or cheer the sailors. Go here for more details and free registration for the event.

TV Guidance: Green City, Clean Waters Premieres on MIND-TV Saturday Night

May 20, 2011

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The 30-minute version of the Green City, Clean Waters video will premiere on MIND-TV (formerly WYBE-TV 35, check your local listing) at 8 p.m. on Saturday. The Philadelphia Water Department enlisted GreenTreks to convey the message of a 20-year, $1.6 billion plan to use green stormwater management to alleviate combined sewer overflows from the city's aging sewer system. Green City, Clean Waters looks at how green stormwater management is transforming the city into an oasis of rain gardens, living roofs, treescapes and porous pavements—all of which, say advocates, is cheaper than traditional infrastructure and makes for a more liveable, prettier city with higher property values and better community health. Watch the preview above and set your DVR!

Tree Planting Tips

May 19, 2011

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Green Homes

Trees are not only beautiful, they also clean the air, stabilize soil and create habitats for birds and other critters. A well-planned tree planting can reduce energy costs by shading your house in the summer and blocking cold winds in winter. There are many different tree species available at nurseries and home improvement centers, but which tree is right for your spot? In order to avoid problems down the road, it's important to consider the characteristics of different tree species.

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) has developed the Plant a Tree online brochure to help you choose and plant wisely. If you’d like a deeper understanding of tree biology, proper tree care and working in your community, check out the PHS’s Tree Tenders program. Another option for Philadelphia property owners is to submit a street tree request form to Philadelphia Parks and Recreation. An arborist will check out your site and determine if your property is a good spot for one of their free street trees.

After the jump, some basic tree planting steps to get your project in the ground.

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Watershed History: Roxborough Water Works

May 19, 2011

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A brief history of the Roxborough Water Works by Philadelphia Water Department historical consultant Adam Levine

Looking north on Granville Street toward Upper Roxborough Reservoir, 1948

By the end of the 1850s, it was already apparent to Henry P.M. Birkinbine, chief engineer of the Philadelphia Water Department, that the northwestern section of the city—including Roxborough, Manayunk, and Chestnut Hill—would need to be served by its own water works. The high ground in this area was far above the reach of existing reservoirs in the city, which supplied water by gravity to homes and businesses. Wells in populated areas were becoming unpalatable and in many cases unhealthy. A small private water works, built to serve Germantown and its vicinity, used a spring and dam of water along Papermill Run (now called Monoshone Creek), but Birkinbine predicted that its capacity would soon be outstripped by the rapidly growing population.

“Manayunk and Roxborough [contain] a population numbering about twelve thousand,” Birkinbine wrote in a report to City Councils in September 8, 1859. “Of these, at least three thousand are operatives employed in the different factories. This part of the city is much in need of a supply of water for culinary, manufacturing and sanitary purposes, and for protection against fire, as the property in the manufactories is of great value, and now almost entirely without protection against fire…. From the dense population of parts of the district, the wells have become so contaminated, that the water in but few of them is now fit for culinary purposes. The necessity of a supply for manufacturing and mechanical purposes, is evident.”

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