{"id":840,"date":"2021-06-01T19:58:00","date_gmt":"2021-06-01T23:58:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/water.phila.gov\/blog\/gccw10-neighbors\/"},"modified":"2022-12-03T11:27:30","modified_gmt":"2022-12-03T16:27:30","slug":"gccw10-neighbors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/water.phila.gov\/blog\/gccw10-neighbors\/","title":{"rendered":"Green City, Clean Waters"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\" In continuing to celebrate 10 years of Green City, Clean Waters<\/em> in the Community<\/a>, it\u2019s pivotal we spotlight residents who contribute to the reduction of local waterway pollution \u2014 even in their own back yards.<\/p>\n

In fulfilling our mission of community engagement<\/strong>, the genesis of Green City, Clean Waters<\/a><\/em> included plans for residential-based initiatives.<\/p>\n

From working with partners who integrated green tools into home repairs to recruiting communities to adopt green stormwater infrastructure sites, the Water Department knew it was essential for Philadelphians to play a role in the colossal 25-year mission of Green City, Clean Waters<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Today\u2019s popular programs that resulted include Rain Check<\/a>, designed to encourage homeowners to install landscape improvements that manage stormwater, and Soak It Up Adoption<\/a>, created to incentivize local organizations to maintain and engage around local green stormwater infrastructure.<\/p>\n

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A Philadelphia resident enjoys her wooden Downspout Planter from Rain Check during the first year of the program, in 2011.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Both programs have collectively inspired nearly 13,000 individuals from around the city to beautify communities while helping to protect rivers and streams. They also fuel local environmental, economic, and social advantages: the trifecta of the Green City, Clean Waters<\/em> Triple Bottom Line pursuit!<\/p>\n

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\u201cThe best moments are when behavioral changes result from our PWD initiatives,\u201d says Tiffany Ledesma, Public Engagement Team manager.<\/cite> \u201cThere have been many instances when a customer will say, \u2018I\u2019m recycling more, thanks to the information I learned when I received the free rain barrel from PWD!\u2019 When we can create positive ripple effects, starting with stormwater runoff, that\u2019s always inspiring!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Rain Check<\/h2>\n

Rain Check started as a pilot program in 2012 as a direct response to community requests for a residential stormwater program in the 2009 rate case process. Prior to establishing Rain Check, the Philadelphia Water Department instituted a free rain barrel program in 2006. In 2015 we consolidated the two programs into one, called Rain Check, and began requiring attendance at workshops for all participants.<\/p>\n

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The winner of a 2017 November raffle for a free wrapped rain barrel, designed by Philly students and Mural Arts Philadelphia.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

From the beginning, PWD worked with local organizations to administer Rain Check, starting with the Environmental Conservation Association (ECA) in 2012. Two years later, Pennsylvania Horticultural Center (PHS) began managing it, catapulting the program to popularity today.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThe enthusiasm of Philadelphia residents to reduce stormwater runoff on a residential level has been inspirational,\u201d says PWD\u2019s Rain Check\u2019s Manager, Jeanne Waldowski.<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

During heavy rainstorms, substantial volumes of runoff from impervious surfaces, including rooftops and homes, can overwhelm the City\u2019s combined sewer systems, propelling untreated water spoiled with dilute sewage, dirt, oil, and litter into local waterways, including the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers.<\/p>\n

The average Philadelphia rowhome rooftop\u2019s size is about 800 square feet. When one inch of rain falls on this surface roughly 450 gallons of water is generated, which is enough to fill 8 rain barrels \u2014 a free stormwater tool offered through Rain Check. (Rain barrels even provide a wellspring of handy H2O for watering flowering plants, cleaning patios, or washing cars \u2014 to name a few.)<\/p>\n

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\u201cSince we live so close to the Schuylkill River, and it\u2019s a drinking water source for Philadelphia, we wanted to be more responsible with our runoff,\u201d says Fairmount resident Kate McQuade, who received a rain barrel.<\/cite> \u201cThe free rain barrel program seemed like a really good deal.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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During the past decade, Rain Check has educated close to 8,500 property owners about stormwater management and installed more than 6,500 free rain barrels and just over 1,200 subsidized tools throughout Philadelphia.<\/p>\n

The model created for Rain Check begins with participants attending workshops to learn about stormwater management. (Prior to the pandemic, dozens of workshops were held every year in locations across the city.) In order to maximize impact and effect change, workshop attendees learn how they can make a difference with stormwater tools.<\/p>\n

During the first eight years of the program, customers were regularly pleased. Surveys revealed that after workshops, 87% of participants said the overall experience was \u201cexcellent\u201d and 92% said the educational component was \u201cvery effective.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cIt\u2019s been fascinating for me to learn how we\u2019re treating our water and the steps that the Water Department is taking to keep stormwater out of the drains and out of our sewers,\u201d Port Richmond resident Jon Defibaugh, who received a rain barrel.<\/cite> \u201c…It doesn\u2019t cost us anything either, so it was a no-brainer.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Rain Check helped this Philadelphia resident upgrade her yard with permeable pavers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

After the workshops, residents decide on which stormwater tools are most suitable for them, depending upon the size of their home, landscaping needs, and budget. Systems such as rain barrels, metal downspouts planters, permeable pavers, and rain gardens, are customized to properties and installed by local landscape contractors.<\/p>\n

Customer feedback also demonstrated that 82% of residents were \u201cvery satisfied\u201d with the installation process and contractors.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThe whole [Rain Check] process was pretty easy…,\u201d says Pennsport resident Valerie Keller, who had a downspout planter installed on her property.<\/cite> \u201cI know some of the problems that the city has with stormwater runoff and overflow and flooding. And, I know that these stormwater infrastructures can help out with that, so I wanted to do something to help.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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A decorative wood downspout planter from Rain Check<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Rain Check has stimulated significant economic gains, as well. Since its inception, it has spurred green jobs, as 15 local companies representing over 40 individuals have enhanced their business with part-time stormwater management work through Rain Check.<\/p>\n

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\u201cGrass is pretty dead ecologically. I\u2019d much rather have a bush that attracts butterflies or provides some berries for the birds and the attraction \u2014 the ability \u2014 to talk to our neighbors who stop and go, \u2018Wow, that\u2019s really pretty,\u2019\u201d says homeowner CJ Hazell, who installed a rain barrel and rain garden on her East Falls property.<\/cite> \u201cThat's all exciting. It makes the whole neighborhood look nicer…We probably would not have been able to do this if it hadn\u2019t been for the Rain Check Program. I really love what Philadelphia Water is doing. I think it\u2019s fantastic.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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