Watershed Issues
Urbanization within the Philadelphia area has contributed to the degradation of its waterways, ecosytems, and water quality.
Philadelphia's Watershed History
Of the 423 miles of streams that once flowed to the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers, only 156 miles remain today. Learn more about how the course of Philadelphia's rapid development altered the city's natural hydrology and topography.
Mandates
The Philadelphia Water Department's initiatives aim to ensure that Philadelphia is in compliance with state and federal mandates to address water pollution and public health concerns.
Stormwater Management
If rain is not properly managed and flows over impervious surfaces—such as streets and rooftops—into the nearest storm drain, it can have a detrimental effect on river and stream corridors. In an urban environment, stormwater is also closely related to safety, flooding, waterway health, drinking water, and community investment.
Safety
Waterway flooding, water recreation, and water quality have safety implications that affect people, buildings, neighborhoods, and communities alike.
Source Water Quality and Quantity
Implemented in 1999, the Philadelphia Water Department’s Source Water Protection Program focuses on providing clean and healthy water to city residents. The program has developed a thorough understanding of the City’s water supply characteristics including ambient water quality conditions, major sources of actual and potential contamination, water availability, flow patterns and management practices, and tidal and reservoir impacts.
Degraded Waterways
Once the natural physical condition of a waterway is compromised by pollution or excessive runoff, it sets off a chain of degradation from erosion to water temperature changes to habitat loss.
Infrastructure Management
Given Philadelphia's history as one of America's earliest-developed cities, the age, physical condition, and efficiency of its infrastructure requires continuous inspection and maintenance.
Trash and Vandalism
Common misconceptions about pollution sources as well as the lack of stakeholder involvement and community stewardship prevent citizens from understanding how human activity within urban watersheds ultimately affects our rivers and streams.
Regional and Global Trends
Future influences—such as changes in climate and population—affect the quality our drinking water sources, the Schuylkill and Delaware rivers.