Philadelphia Water’s program to promote green stormwater infrastructure has been in progress for a decade.

One Philadelphia program dedicated to water is celebrating a decade.

Philadelphia Water Department’s Green City, Clean Waters is a plan to reduce combined sewer overflows. The program officially kicked off in 2011 and is scheduled to run through 2036. The plan is investing over $2.4 billion in green stormwater infrastructure.

The Green City Clean Water program boasts accomplishments including reducing 2 billion gallons of polluted water in the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers, implementing over 1800 greened acres, and having engaged over 400,000 people.

Philadelphia Water hosted a celebration on October 21st to mark the occasion. The event included green stormwater infrastructure tours, an official ribbon-cutting for the American Street Improvement Project, educational opportunities, and more. Speakers included Water Department Commissioner Randy Hayman and Councilwoman Maria Quinones Sanchez. 

The American Street Improvement project spans 17 blocks and has the capacity to divert close to 90 million gallons of stormwater annually from the area’s combined sewer system. It also added traffic improvement efforts with bike lanes and pedestrian safety features.

“It is truly spectacular what Philadelphia achieved within Green City, Clean Waters’ first 10 years,” said Philadelphia Water Department Commissioner Randy E. Hayman, Esq. in a press release. “We are making our precious waterways cleaner and bringing new, green life to our neighborhoods. 

Green Philly was among the organizations that tabled at the event, handing out our posters (done in a project in conjunction with Mural Arts and the Philadelphia Inquirer) and informing attendees about the connection of water to their lives.

Photos: Philadelphia Water

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Julie Hancher is Editor-in-Chief of Green Philly, sharing her expertise of all things sustainable in the city of brotherly love. She enjoys long walks in the park with local beer and greening her travels, cooking & cat, Sir Floofus Drake. View all posts by Julie Hancher