Congratulations to MOTU as it wraps up the celebration of its 5th Birthday! The Mayor’s Office of Transportation and Utilities (MOTU) has been working hard to improve coordination among agencies and departments in the City to help Philadelphia respond to the needs of the 21st Century. MOTU recently released a new report highlighting accomplishments over the last five years.

Photo Credits:Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia

Among these achievements MOTU has increased mobility by expanding the bicycle and pedestrian network by investing in more bike racks, pedestrian parklets and plazas, and safer bike lanes. Over the course of five years, Philadelphia has seen a 20% reduction in traffic fatalities and 10% reduction in crashes involving pedestrians after 2,400 intersections were retimed and 400 pedestrian countdown signals installed. In addition, air travel has improved through the addition of five new airlines servicing the Philadelphia International Airport.

Photo Credits:Rick McMullin

 MOTU has also been a key partner in implementing PWD’s Green City, Clean Waters program. This collaboration has resulted in the installation of 1100 green acres, reducing stormwater runoff by 500 million gallons annually.This year, there are even more projects underway, including 161 stormwater trenches, 33 stormwater bumpouts, and 33 projects utilizing porous pavement.

Photo Credits:Schuylkill Banks

MOTU’s efforts have not only improved conditions in the city but have also resulted in taxpayer savings. To date, the program has been awarded about $91 million in competitive grants from federal, state and non-profit sources.

To learn more about all of MOTU’s accomplishments and find out about future projects, read their report. Happy Birthday MOTU!

Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership, Inc. (TTF) is dedicated to enhancing the health and vitality of the TTF Watershed, including neighborhoods Philadelphia and Abington, Cheltenham, Jenkintown, Rockledge, and Springfield in Montgomery County. They work with residents, schools, community organizations, environmental advisory councils, businesses and policy makers to build watershed awareness.

On Thursday October 3rd, TTF teamed up with 7th graders from Hackley School in Tarrytown, NY to mark 150 stormwater drains with stickers that say “No Dumping, Drains to River” to help raise awareness in the surrounding neighborhood about where litter goes when it enters the drain. In addition to marking drains, students picked up litter and leftflyers for residents, informing them about watersheds and combined sewer systems.

Representatives from PWD also helped mark drains and brought an interactive model to demonstrate how combined sewers work. Students poured glittered water, representing waste water, into the model home and watched it travel down the pipe, get filtered and returned to the river. However, when they added rain to the streets at the same time as “using water” in the house, they learned that excess stormwater caused the system to overflow, sending diluted waste into the river. After all the fun, everyone wrapped up a day with pretzels and apple cider.

PWD is happy to announce the next round of Stormwater Management Incentives Program (SMIP) grants. The Water Department works with the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC) to provide funding to stimulate investment in stormwater best management practices to mitigate the impacts of stormwater runoff. Only non-residential properties are eligible. Projects are evaluated based on criteria including, but not limited to, the total volume of runoff managed, expected benefits, and the ability of the grantee to leverage other funding sources. Grant requests are limited to $100,000 per impervious acre managed or less. Applications will be available on November 1st on PIDC’s website. Applicationsmust be submitted by noon on January 31st, 2014. Applicants will be notified by July 1, 2014 if their applications have been accepted. To read more, and see if you qualify for the SMIP grant, visit the Water Department’s website here.

Did you know that the Philadelphia Water Department is leading a tour during Greenbuildon November 23rd from 8am to noon titled, “Revolutionary Civil Engineering: Municipal Stormwater and Wastewater Leadership?” The Water Department has been recognized internationally for its leadership in implementing green stormwater infrastructure and in developing innovative stormwater management and energy solutions at its treatment plants. This is your chance to visit our projects with us! Please join us as we highlight our projects at several sites around the city and reveal the collaborations, expertise and spirit vital to urban sustainability.

Tour stops include a visit to the PWD biogas cogeneration water treatment facility and a recreation center that manages 1.2 acres of runoff and has helped to revitalize a neighborhood and a garden and playground located on a former brownfield site. Water Department leaders will provide details and context for each site as well as a description of the policies, strategies and incentives that impact Philadelphia city-wide. One of the tour goals is to give participants insight into the power of partnership, demonstrating how - government/municipal agencies can partner with communities and the private sector to implement green stormwater infrastructure together. If you’re interested in attending the Water Department’s Tour, you can get tickets online here, where you can also view other tours hosted by the Delaware Valley Greenbuild Council.

We hope to see you there!