What do the Service Line Material Letters and Map mean for you?: The story of crafting and sharing lead plumbing communications in Philadelphia
January 5, 2026
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Grace Maiorano & Rick Orlosky
In December, you may have received a letter from us, sharing information about the material of your property’s water service line. Though our tap water remains safe to drink, it may feel confusing – and even alarming – to receive this notification in the mail. Here’s the story behind these federally required communications.
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Explore the Restoration Projects in Pennypack Park: Restoration projects are reshaping Pennypack Park to strengthen its natural environment.
December 31, 2025
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Jade Wright
Learn how stream restoration is helping Pennypack Park thrive — protecting our water systems, reducing erosion, and supporting wildlife. Residents may have seen construction crews working around Pennypack Park in the Northeast recently. The Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) has two new ecological restoration projects taking place in the park: Benton Brook Sewer Protection and Stream […]
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Getting feedback about meter upgrades: What we’ve learned from more than 9,500 customer surveys about the citywide meter upgrade project.
October 29, 2025
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Herbie Hickmott
More than 9,500 customers shared their experience receiving water meter upgrades. Here’s what we heard… When the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) started planning upgrades to customer water meters, we knew there was a lot to learn. I’ve been involved in the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI)* project since mid-2019. I helped craft the customer-facing communications experience. […]
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2024 – 2025 Stormwater Grant Awardees Announced!: A variety of Philadelphia institutions will receive funding for new green stormwater infrastructure retrofits.
July 28, 2025
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Grace Maiorano
From a historic cemetery to a flamingo habitat, an assortment of local sites will receive green infrastructure – thanks to the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD). Every year, we grant non-residential properties with funding to install new green stormwater infrastructure (GSI). We’re thrilled to share 11 new properties accepting this well-established award to improve local waterways. […]
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PWD Quarterly Construction Newsletter: Summer 2025: Summer 2025 Newsletters for Water Department Construction
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Amy Hopf
Welcome to the Philadelphia Water Department Quarterly Construction Newsletter – a new resource keeping residents informed about construction projects in their local City Council District! Each season, subscribers receive an email newsletter with a roundup of PWD projects happening in the Council District serving their self-selected ZIP code. These emails are for any Philadelphia resident […]
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Stay Informed with PWD’s New Quarterly Construction Newsletter: Spring 2025 Newsletters
April 1, 2025
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Amy Hopf
PWD has launched a Quarterly Construction Newsletter to keep residents informed about construction projects in their City Council District. Each season, subscribers will receive an email newsletter with a roundup of PWD projects happening in their identified ZIP code’s Council District. These emails are for any Philadelphia resident who wants to learn more about PWD […]
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Oh, DAM! The Manayunk Canal is getting ready to reopen.: The Flat Rock Dam project will wrap up this winter and bring back flowing water.
December 6, 2024
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Amy Hopf
On a brisk mid-September day, the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) convened at the northern tip of Venice Island in Manayunk. Joined by the Younger Member Forum of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Philadelphia Section, PWD engineers and public engagement staff showed off an important part of the river’s history: the Flat Rock Dam […]
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Introducing our new Service Line Map: Sharing records of water service line materials for properties in Philadelphia
October 24, 2024
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PWD Public Affairs
The Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) has just launched a new online map showing our records of water service line materials for every property in Philadelphia. While this new map is mandated by federal law, we are working to make this new tool as useful as possible for our customers. The new laws apply to every […]
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2023 – 2024 Stormwater Grant Awardees Announced: Local properties will receive funding for new green stormwater infrastructure retrofits.
June 27, 2024
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Grace Maiorano
For over a decade, dozens of non-residential properties – spanning from schools to businesses – have taken advantage of our Stormwater Grants program. Through this signature PWD resource, we help properties spruce up their spaces and reduce water bills – all while reducing combined sewer overflow pollution in our creeks and rivers. We’re excited to […]
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Stay Cool Safely During Summer Heat: Hydrate and cool off, but avoid hydrants and waterways.
June 20, 2024
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Public Affairs
With more than 90 spraygrounds and spray features available this summer, you and your friends don’t have to open fire hydrants or swim in our unpredictable rivers, where drowning is always a risk.
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