Green City, Clean Waters

The Philadelphia Water Department is a public, not-for-profit utility. All revenue collected through water bills supports infrastructure improvements and the delivery of essential services.
Facing financial impacts from the pandemic and costs that were rising even before the crisis, we requested a rate change last month. Without new rates, we will not have the revenue needed to meet legal and operating requirements. Here is how you can provide input and learn more:

Join Us: Public Input Hearings for 2021 Rate Change Request If approved, water bills for residential customers would increase by 11.6% in September 2021 and 5.3% the following September. For a typical resident using 3,740 gallons a month, the bill would be $78.45 after the full increase.

We're helping those unable to pay bills due to the COVID-19 crisis. For those who can pay - remember that in Philadelphia, water bills are the only source of funding for all our infrastructure investments and all our services. Because we don't get money from taxes or other government funds, we rely on your support to protect our rivers and build the infrastructure needed to meet Clean Water Act regulations. Those struggling should get in touch now and take advantage of programs like TAP - our city is serious about water affordability and pioneered the first income and hardship-based water billing system in the U.S. Helpful links: https://linktr.ee/phillyh2o

Green City, Clean Waters turns 10 in June!

Today, nearly 3,000 green stormwater tools help keep billions of gallons of pollution out of local rivers. Celebrate by nominating a fave by March 1 for the Sustainable Business Network's Excellence in GSI Awards ⬇️

Call for Nominations: 2021 Excellence in GSI Awards - Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia The Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia’s (SBN) Excellence in...

Here's a throwback to our former Spokedog, Shorty. The tips for safe deicing remain the same: carefully follow instructions on the label so you don't put out too much or use chemicals that don't work below certain temperatures. More: http://water.phila.gov/blog/firstsnow-reminder-protect-your-pipes

If you are putting out salt or other deicing solutions, do it in a way that won't hurt puppy paws or our rivers and streams! Check out these winter weather tips we at the Philadelphia Water Department put together for you: http://water.phila.gov/blog/firstsnow-reminder-protect-your-pipes

Penn State Extension Master Watershed Stewards of Philadelphia County is now accepting applications for spring 2021!

Learn more at an online open house tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. ⬇️

Want to help improve local waterways?

Penn State Extension Master Watershed Stewards of Philadelphia County (with Penn State Extension Master Watershed Stewards) is now accepting applications for spring 2021! Receive environmental science training + become a certified watershed steward. Don’t miss an online info session at 6:30 p.m. THIS Wednesday! To sign up, visit here ➡https://extension.psu.edu/programs/watershed-stewards/counties/philadelphia-county

Our 2020 Stormwater Grant winners will receive funding to restore waterways and enhance local communities. Check out a new blog about the recipients! ⬇️

2020 Stormwater Grant Recipients Restore more than Waterways As we conclude 2020, we’re proud to award 11 resourceful recipients more than $5 million in grants with properties accumulating about 40 Greened Acres.

Happy New Year from the Philadelphia Water Department! Despite all the 2020 challenges, public and private sources constructed nearly 80 green stormwater projects. Our staff of engineers, planners, and more provided essential support for 120+ projects now ready to break ground.

These projects will manage hundreds of millions of gallons of stormwater runoff, reducing sewer overflows and protecting our rivers as part of the Green City, Clean Waters initiative. Read more:

Together, We Moved Forward in 2020 Through dedication, strategic planning, prudent financial management, and creative thinking, we didn’t just maintain critical services: we moved forward. Here's how.

Happy holidays from the Philadelphia Water Department!

Snow/cold weather info!

It's snowy + feels like 20F! for shoveling ⬇
❄️Clear a sidewalk path within six hours after the storm
❄️Clear snow from your block's sewer inlets and hydrants
❄️Keep your sidewalk water shutoff access (usually marked W) clear
❄️Don't over-salt - you can hurt pets and wildlife!
More: http://water.phila.gov/blog/phila-water-snow-tips

Did you know our staff at Fairmount Water Works created a new curriculum called “Understanding the Urban Watershed” to bring Philly's students a deeper appreciation of the rivers that provide all our water? Here's a great read from Grid Magazine exploring the program ⬇️

Program instructors teach students how the city’s waterways shaped our past and affect our present — Grid Magazine Taking to the Water By Bernard Brown Some classrooms keep guinea pigs or guppies as pets, but last year at Cook Wissahickon School in Roxborough, sixth-graders tended young freshwater mussels. “The students feed them and then, when they reach a larger stage, the Fairmount Water Works will place