Welcome

The Philadelphia Water Department works around the clock to ensure that a safe, high-quality supply of drinking water is always on tap, that stormwater drains away without major flooding, and that our rivers and streams become cleaner with each passing year. From its roots as operator of the first urban water distribution system in the United States in 1801, PWD has fostered a spirit of innovation and operational excellence that continues today. The Office of Watersheds embodies the Water Department’s commitment to protecting and sustaining the health and vitality of the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers, countless creeks and streams, and the people of our region who enjoy and depend on these waterways.