Appendices

  Print / Download
  • Appendix Index

    AppendixDescription
    A. GlossaryList of key words or terms included in the text of the Manual.
    B. AbbreviationsCompiled list and explanations of all abbreviations used in the Manual. 
    C. PWD Stormwater RegulationsThe Stormwater Regulations, presented in Appendix C, have been developed in accordance with the Philadelphia Code §14-704(3), and they consist of four major Post‑Construction Stormwater Management (PCSM) Requirements: Water Quality, Channel Protection, Flood Control, and Public Health and Safety (PHS) Release Rate. In addition, all earth disturbance activity must comply with the Erosion and Sediment Control (E&S) requirements of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, as specified in 25 Pa. Code §102.4. The objectives of these requirements include: Reduce pollution in runoff, Recharge the groundwater table and increase stream base flows, Restore more natural site hydrology, Reduce combined sewer overflows (CSOs), Reduce the quantity, frequency and duration of CSOs, Protect stream channels and banks, fish habitat and infrastructure from erosion and sedimentation, Reduce or prevent flooding in areas downstream of development sites.
    D. Watershed MapsWatershed location plays an important role in identifying how the Stormwater Regulations, specifically the Post‑Construction Stormwater Management Requirements, are applied to a project. Once the location of the development site is determined, Appendix D may be used to evaluate its Flood Management District and sewershed. If they are unable to confirm either, the applicant should contact Stormwater Plan Review.
    E. Plan and Report ChecklistsSection 2.3 provides Review Phase Submission Package checklists as well as detailed guidance on the submission process. Appendix E includes checklists itemizing the submittal requirements of plans and reports required for Review Phase Submission Packages. By ensuring that plans and reports meet the requirements identified in each checklist, the applicant can streamline their project’s Review Phase.
    F. Design Guidance ChecklistsThe Philadelphia Water Department’s Stormwater Plan Review Design Guidance Checklists, contained in Appendix F, are a supplemental list of guidelines for regulatory compliance, plan creation, hydrologic modeling and calculations, and the design of specific stormwater management practices. They are provided to assist in the formation of both sound, compliant stormwater management designs and complete Post‑Construction Stormwater Management Plan (PCSMP) submissions. The designer should use the checklists as guidance during the design and calculation stages, or as useful quality assurance/quality control checks prior to PCSMP Review Phase submission.
    Appendix G contains an SMP Maintenance Guide sample and associated template documents. An SMP-specific, site-specific SMP Maintenance Guide, prepared by the designer and submitted to, and reviewed by, PWD during the PCSMP Review Phase, should be provided to and implemented by the property owner as a guide for long-term operations and maintenance of the SMPs on-site. SMP Maintenance Guide instructions are available on the first page of the SMP Maintenance Guide Information document to steer the designer through the creation of these items. The SMP Maintenance Guide must include a Site Map and a separate Maintenance Schedule Form for each SMP to allow the property owner to track all maintenance activities for their site. A sample of a compiled SMP Maintenance Guide is available in this Appendix for reference. SMP Maintenance Guidance One-Sheets are also available for each SMP detailed in this Manual in order to provide guidance on SMP maintenance activities and frequencies, including recommended SMP maintenance schedules.
    H. Infiltration Testing LogAppendix H contains a template log for documenting infiltration testing results. This Infiltration Testing Log includes guidance for documenting soil characteristics and is required to be completed and submitted as part of the Geotechnical Report during the Post‑Construction Stormwater Management Plan Review Phase.
    I. Plant ListsLists of native and recommended non-invasive plants and prohibited invasive plants and noxious weeds.
    J. Construction Certification PackageIt is important, both for the property owner and for the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD), to ensure that all stormwater management practices (SMPs) are constructed in strict accordance with the Approved Post‑Construction Stormwater Management Plan (PCSMP). The Construction Certification Package (CCP) provides PWD with documentation that SMPs have been properly installed. Consisting of photographs, material receipts, and SMP Construction Certification Forms that must be customized by the design engineer prior to PCSMP Approval, the CCP must be kept on-site and completed by a registered professional during construction. Appendix J contains a description of the required CCP documentation and a collection of customizable SMP Construction Certification Forms to be populated with key information during construction and installation.
    K. Record Drawing SampleAlong with the Construction Certification Package, the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) requires that Record Drawing(s) be submitted at the close of the project to ensure that the stormwater management practices (SMPs) and their elements were constructed in general accordance with the Approved Post‑Construction Stormwater Management Plan (PCSMP), and to document any field changes. Record Drawing(s) are required for SMP verification and are a key component of PWD’s compliance reporting. Samples that demonstrate how Approved PCSMP plan sheets should be marked-up in order to prepare Record Drawings are provided in Appendix K.
    L. Standard DetailsTypical construction details for several SMPs, including all of PWD’s highest-preference SMPs, such as bioinfiltration/bioretention basins, porous pavement, and green roofs, and for SMP-related structures, such as cleanouts, observations wells, and outlet control structures, are available for download in AutoCAD (*.dwg) format in Appendix L. These Standard Details incorporate design specifications pursuant to each SMP’s respective design and material requirements. The designer is enc ouraged, though not required, to use them for PCSMP creation when possible.
    M. PCSMP Project CloseoutAppendix M details the PCSMP project closeout procedure required of an applicant upon the conclusion of the project’s construction.
  • A. Glossary

    Applicant: A property owner, developer, or other person or entity who has filed an application to the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) for approval to engage in, or be exempt from, any Regulated Activity at a Development Site in the City of Philadelphia.

    Combined Sewer Overflows (CSO): A combined sewer overflow is an intermittent overflow or other untreated discharge from a municipal combined sewer system to the water of the Commonwealth occurring before the sewage treatment plant.

    Conceptual Stormwater Management Plan: A preliminary stormwater management plan used by PWD Stormwater Plan Review to understand what is proposed at the project site, to confirm the proposed project limits of disturbance (LOD), and to assess the proposed stormwater management strategy. Conceptual Stormwater Management Plan requirements are described in Chapter 2 of this Manual.

    Demolition: The razing or destruction, whether entirely or in significant part, of a building, structure, site, or object; including the removal of a building, structure, site, or object from its site or the removal or destruction of the façade or surface.

    Design Storm: The magnitude and temporal distribution of precipitation from a storm event defined by probability of occurrence (e.g., five-year storm) and duration (e.g., 24 hours), used in the design and evaluation of stormwater management systems.

    Developer: Any landowner, agent of such landowner, or tenant with the permission of such landowner, who makes or causes to be made a subdivision of land or land Development project prior to issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy.

    Development: Any human-induced change to a tract of land, whether public or private. Development encompasses, but is not limited to, New Development, Redevelopment, Demolition, and Stormwater Retrofit. It includes the entire Development Site, even when the project is performed in phases.

    Development Site: The land area where any Development activities are planned, conducted, or maintained, regardless of individual parcel ownership. It includes contiguous areas of disturbance across Streets and other rights of way, or private streets and alleys, during any stage of or on any portion of a larger common plan of development or sale.

    Diffused Drainage Discharge: Drainage discharge not confined to a single point location or channel, such as sheet flow or shallow concentrated flow.

    Disconnected Impervious Cover (DIC): Impervious cover from which runoff is directed toward pervious areas for management within the landscape.

    Earth Disturbance: Any construction or other activity that disturbs the surface of land, including but not limited to, excavations, embankments, land development, subdivision development, and the moving, depositing, or storing of soil, rock, or earth. Other examples of earth disturbance in the context of PWD Stormwater Regulations are listed in Section 1.1.3.

    Erosion and Sediment (E&S) Control Plan: A site-specific plan consisting of both drawings and a narrative that identifies measures to minimize accelerated erosion and sedimentation before, during, and after Earth Disturbance. E&S Plan requirements are described in Chapter 2 of this Manual.

    Evaporation and Transpiration (Evapotranspiration): Evaporation is the process by which water changes from a liquid to gas. Transpiration is the process by which water moves through a plant and evaporates into the atmosphere from its leaves and exterior surfaces. The sum of evaporation and transpiration are commonly referred to as evapotranspiration.

    Existing Conditions: Physical conditions on the site including land use, impervious surface, topography, vegetation, soils, and hydrology that exist on the site on the date the owner starts the development process.

    Groundwater Recharge: The replenishment of existing natural underground water supplies from precipitation or overland flow without degrading groundwater quality.

    Hotspots: Areas where land use or activities have contaminated the soil underlying the site such that infiltration of stormwater would likely cause groundwater contamination through leaching of the soil.

    Impervious Liner: A physical barrier to prevent water from crossing a system boundary such as infiltrating through the subgrade beneath a stormwater management practice. Liners may include, but are not limited to, compacted till liners, clay liners, geomembrane liners, and concrete liners.

    Impervious Surface: Any building, pavement, or other material that substantially bars the natural infiltration of surface water into the soil.

    Infiltration: The process by which water enters the soil from the ground surface and can be measured as a rate.

    Management District: Sub-area delineations that determine peak rate attenuation requirements. A Development Site located in more than one Management District shall conform to the requirements of the district into which the site discharges

    Manual: The most recent version of the Philadelphia Stormwater Management Guidance Manual.

    New Development: Development project on a tract of land where structures or impervious surfaces never existed or were removed before January 1, 1970.

    Non-Structural Design: Stormwater management practices that incorporate, preserve, and protect existing natural features while promoting treatment, infiltration, evaporation, and transpiration of precipitation close to where it falls.

    Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Agreement: An agreement or declaration outlining the maintenance requirements associated with the Post‑Construction Stormwater Management Plan.

    Pavement Disconnection: A type of DIC, and a reduction in DCIA, where pavement runoff is directed to a vegetated area that allows for infiltration, filtration, and an increased time of concentration.

    Post‑Construction Stormwater Management Plan (PCSMP): A complete stormwater management plan set as described in the PWD Stormwater Regulations and in this Manual. PCSMP submission package requirements are described in Section 2.3 of this Manual.

    Predevelopment Condition: For New Development and Redevelopment, the dominant land use for the previous ten years preceding the planned project.

    Record Drawings: Construction drawings revised to represent the as-built conditions.

    Redevelopment: Development on a tract of land that includes, but is not limited to, the demolition or removal of existing structures or impervious surfaces and replacement with new impervious surfaces. This includes replacement of impervious surfaces that have been removed on or after January 1, 1970.

    Registered Professional: A licensed Professional Engineer, Registered Architect, Landscape Architect, Professional Land Surveyor, Professional Geologist, or Licensed Contractor registered in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

    Regulated Activity: Development on a Development Site in the City of Philadelphia that results in an area of Earth Disturbance greater than or equal to 15,000 square feet, greater than or equal to 5,000 square feet in the Darby and Cobbs Creeks Watershed, or as otherwise required by local, State, or Federal requirements. The area of Earth Disturbance during the construction phase determines requirements for the erosion and sediment controls and post-construction stormwater management.

    Review Path: A linear series of submission, review, and approval/exemption procedures the applicant will navigate to demonstrate a project’s compliance with, or exemption from, the PWD Stormwater Regulations.

    Review Phase: A step in a Review Path. Each Review Path has one or more Phases. Each Phase corresponds to one or more submittals of information for PWD’s review.

    Roof Runoff Isolation: The routing of runoff from non-vehicular roof area that is not commingled with untreated runoff.

    Rooftop Disconnection: A type of DIC, and a reduction in DCIA, where a roof downspout is directed to a vegetated area which allows for infiltration, filtration, and increased time of concentration.

    Sewershed: An area of land, or catchment, which drains via storm drain infrastructure to a common outlet point.

    Site Assessment: An investigation of the administrative and physical factors that shape the development and stormwater management plan for a proposed site. The assessment consists of three components: collection of background site factors, site factors inventory, and site factors analysis.

    Storage Volume: The volume of stormwater runoff that can be held within the above-ground surface area and the pore spaces of any subsurface media or structure of a stormwater management practice.

    Stormwater Management Practice (SMP): Any man-made or natural structure, system, landscape feature, channel, or improvement designed, constructed, installed, and/or used to detain, infiltrate, or otherwise control stormwater runoff quality, rate, or quantity.

    Stormwater Pretreatment: Techniques employed to remove pollutants before they enter the SMP, including, but not limited to, the techniques listed as pretreatment in this Manual.

    Stormwater Retrofit: The voluntary rehabilitation and/or installation of SMPs on a property to better manage stormwater runoff.

    Street: Tract of land or part thereof with public access used for vehicular and/or pedestrian traffic, which is maintained by a City Agency, City Related Agency, other Government Agency, or a Non-Profit Organization Created by the City, as determined by the Department.

    Street Maintenance Activities: Earth Disturbance activities within an existing street as determined by the Department and described in the Manual’s Section 1.1.3.

    Tree Disconnection Credit: A type of DIC, and a reduction in DCIA, where existing or newly proposed tree canopy from an approved species list extends over, or is in close proximity to, impervious area.

    Watershed: An area of land that contains a common set of drainage pathways, streams, and rivers that all discharge to a single large body of water, such as a river, lake, or ocean.

  • B. Abbreviations

    AASHTOAmerican Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
    ANSI        American National Standards Institute
    ASSE       American Society of Safety Engineering
    ASTM       American Society of Testing and Materials
    BMP         Best Management Practice
    CCP         Construction Certification Package
    CCTV       Closed Circuit Television
    CIP           Cast Iron Pipe
    cfs           Cubic Feet per Second
    CERCLA    Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
    CERM       Civil Engineering Reference Manual
    CN            Curve Number
    CO&A       Consent Order and Agreement
    CSO         Combined Sewer Overflow
    CWA                Clean Water Act (1972)
    DCIA               Directly Connected Impervious Area
    DIC           Disconnected Impervious Cover
    DOR         Department of Records
    EMC         Event Mean Concentration
    EMI          Electromagnetic Induction
    E&S         Erosion and Sediment Control
    EPDM       Ethylene Propylene Diene Terpolymer
    ERSA       Existing Resources and Site Analysis
    ET       Evapotranspiration
    FLL          German Landscape Research, Development and Construction Society
    FEMA       Federal Emergency Management Agency
    GPR         Ground Penetrating Radar
    GSI          Green Stormwater Infrastructure
    HDPE       High-Density Polyethylene
    HOA         Homeowners Association
    HSG         Hydrologic Soil Group
    IDF           Intensity-Duration-Frequency
    IWU          Industrial Waste Unit
    LEED       Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
    L&I           Department of Licenses and Inspections
    LOD         Limit of Disturbance
    LTCPU     Long Term Control Plan Update
    MSC         Medium Specific Concentration
    MS4         Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System
    NJCAT      New Jersey Center for Advanced Technology
    NJ DEP     New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
    NPDES     National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
    NOAA       National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
    NOI          Notice of Intent
    NOT         Notice of Termination
    NRCS       Natural Resources Conservation Service
    O&M         Operations and Maintenance
    OPA         Office of Property Assessment
    OSHA       Occupational Safety and Health Administration
    PA DEP     Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
    PCPC       Philadelphia City Planning Commission
    PCSM       Post‑Construction Stormwater Management
    PCSMP     Post‑Construction Stormwater Management Plan
    PHS         Public Health and Safety
    POA         Point of Analysis
    PUD         Planned Unit Development
    PVC         Polyvinyl Chloride
    PWD         Philadelphia Water Department
    RCP         Reinforced Concrete Pipe
    ROW        Right-of-Way
    SIU           Significant Industrial User
    SMP         Stormwater Management Practice
    SPLP       Synthetic Precipitation Leachate Procedure
    SPT     Standard Penetration Test
    SSPA       Steep Slope Protection Area
    SWTR        Surface Water Treatment Rule
    TAPE       Technology Assessment Protocol – Ecology
    TARP       Technology Acceptance and Reciprocity Partnership
    TSS          Total Suspended Solids
    TMDL       Total Maximum Daily Load
    TPO         Thermal Polyolefin
    USDA       United States Department of Agriculture
    USEPA     United States Environmental Protection Agency
    USGBCUnited States Green Building Council
    USGS       United States Geological Survey
    VCP         Vitrified Clay Pipe
    WQv         Water Quality Volume
    WTR         Water Transport Records
    WWO        Wissahickon Watershed Overlay
    ZBA          Zoning Board of Adjustment
  • C. PWD Stormwater Regulations

    The Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) Stormwater Regulations (Stormwater Regulations), presented in Appendix C, have been developed in accordance with Philadelphia Code §14-704(3), and they consist of four major Post‑Construction Stormwater Management Requirements: Water Quality, Channel Protection, Flood Control, and Public Health and Safety Release Rate. In addition, all earth disturbance activity must comply with the Erosion and Sediment Control requirements of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, as specified in 25 Pa. Code §102.4.

    The objectives of these requirements include:

    • Reduce pollution in runoff
    • Recharge the groundwater table and increase stream base flows
    • Restore more natural site hydrology
    • Reduce combined sewer overflows (CSOs)
    • Reduce the quantity, frequency and duration of CSOs
    • Protect stream channels and banks, fish habitat and infrastructure from erosion and sedimentation
    • Reduce or prevent flooding in areas downstream of development sites

    The details of the Stormwater Regulations can be found within Chapter 6: Stormwater of the PWD Regulations:

  • D. Watershed Maps

    Watershed location plays an important role in identifying how the Stormwater Regulations, specifically the Post‑Construction Stormwater Management Requirements, are applied to a project. Once the location of the development site is determined, Appendix D may be used to evaluate its Flood Management District and sewer service area. If they are unable to confirm either, the applicant should contact Stormwater Plan Review. These maps are approximations of sewershed boundaries. The applicant must refer to their project’s point of stormwater discharge when determining which requirements apply to their project.

  • E. Plan and Report Checklists

    Section 2.3 provides Review Phase Submission Package checklists as well as detailed guidance on the submission process. Appendix E includes checklists itemizing the submittal requirements of plans and reports required for Review Phase Submission Packages. By ensuring that plans and reports meet the requirements identified in each checklist, the applicant can streamline their project’s Review Phase.

  • F. Design Guidance Checklists

    The Philadelphia Water Department’s Stormwater Plan Review Design Guidance Checklists contained in Appendix F are a supplemental list of guidelines for regulatory compliance, plan creation, hydrologic modeling and calculations, and the design of specific stormwater management practices. They are provided to assist in the formation of both sound, compliant stormwater management designs and complete Post‑Construction Stormwater Management Plan (PCSMP) submissions. The designer should use the checklists as guidance during the design and calculation stages or as useful quality assurance/quality control checks prior to PCSMP Review Phase submission.

  • G. SMP Maintenance Guide Documents

    Appendix G contains an SMP Maintenance Guide sample and associated template documents. An SMP-specific, site-specific SMP Maintenance Guide, prepared by the designer and submitted to, and reviewed by, PWD during the PCSMP Review Phase, should be provided to and implemented by the property owner as a guide for long-term operations and maintenance of the SMPs on-site. SMP Maintenance Guide instructions are available on the first page of the SMP Maintenance Guide Information document to steer the designer through the creation of these items. The SMP Maintenance Guide must include a Site Map and a separate Maintenance Schedule Form for each SMP to allow the property owner to track all maintenance activities for their site. A sample of a compiled SMP Maintenance Guide is available in this Appendix for reference. SMP Maintenance Guidance One-Sheets are also available for each SMP detailed in this Manual in order to provide guidance on SMP maintenance activities and frequencies, including recommended SMP maintenance schedules.

  • H. Infiltration Testing Log

    Appendix H contains a template log for documenting infiltration testing results. This Infiltration Testing Log includes guidance for documenting soil characteristics and is required to be completed and submitted as part of the Geotechnical Report during the Post‑Construction Stormwater Management Plan Review Phase.

  • I. Plant Lists

    Native and Recommended Non-Invasive Plants

    A list of trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants suitable for planting in stormwater management facilities are included in Table I-1. The list is intended as a guide for general planting purposes and planning considerations. Knowledgeable landscape designers and nurseries can provide additional information for considering specific conditions for successful plant establishment.

    Table I-1 lists native and recommended plants, trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants and is organized by Type and Latin name. Additional information given for each species includes common name, National Wetland Indicator Status, hydrologic zone, inundation tolerance, drought tolerance, salt tolerance, mature canopy spread, mature height, light requirements, nativity, commercial availability, and notes to provide guidance for application and selection. For example, some trees are well-suited to landscaped areas that will receive stormwater runoff, while others may not tolerate the additional moisture.

    National Wetland Indicator Status

    The National Wetland Indicator Status (from Region 1, Reed, 1988) has been included to show “the estimated probability of a species occurring in wetlands versus non-wetlands” (Reed, 1988). Reed defines the indicator categories as follows:

    • Obligate wetland (OBL): Plants which nearly always (more than 99% of the time) occur in wetlands under natural conditions.
    • Facultative Wetland (FACW): Plants which usually occur in wetlands (from 67 to 99% of the time), but occasionally are found in non-wetlands.
    • Facultative (FAC): Plants which are equally likely to occur in wetlands and non-wetlands, and are found in wetlands from 34 to 66% of the time.
    • Facultative Upland (FACU): Plants which usually occur in non-wetlands (from 67 to 99% of the time), but occasionally are found in wetlands.
    • Upland (UPL): Plants which almost always (more than 99% of the time) occur in non-wetlands under natural conditions.
    • A given indicator status shown with a “+” or a “-” means that the species is more (+) or less (-) often found in wetlands than other plants with the same indicator status without the “+” or “-” designation.
    Hydrologic Zones

    For planting within a stormwater management practice (SMP), it is necessary to determine what hydrologic zones will be created within the SMP. Hydrologic zones describe the degree to which an area is inundated by water (the designer is referred to Figure 4.1‑3 for an example of hydrologic zones in a bioinfiltration/bioretention basin). Plants have differing tolerances to inundation, and, as an aid to landscape designers, these plant tolerance levels have been divided into six zones and corresponding appropriate plant species have been identified. In Table I-1, each plant species has a corresponding hydrologic zone provided to indicate the most suitable planting location for successful establishment. While the most common zones for planting are listed in parentheses, the listing of additional zones indicates that a plant may survive over a broad range of hydrologic conditions. Just as plants may, on occasion, be found outside of their hardiness zone, they may also be found outside of their hydrologic zone. Additionally, hydrologic conditions in an SMP may fluctuate in unpredictable ways; thus, the use of plants capable of tolerating wide varieties of hydrologic conditions greatly increases a successful planting. Conversely, plants suited for specific hydrologic conditions may perish when hydrologic conditions fluctuate, thus exposing the soil and increasing the chance for erosion.

    Inundation Tolerance

    Since the Wetland Indicator Status alone does not provide an indication of the depth or duration of flooding that a plant will tolerate, the “Inundation Tolerance” column is designed to provide further guidance. If a plant is capable of withstanding permanent saturation, the depth of this saturation is listed (for example, “saturated” indicates the soil can be moist at all times, “sat, 0-6”“ indicates that the species can survive in constantly moist soil conditions with up to six inches of standing water). Conversely, a plant may only tolerate seasonal inundation – such as after a storm event – or may not tolerate inundation at all. This type of plant would be well-suited for an SMP that is expected to drain quickly or in the drier zones of the SMP.

    Drought Tolerance (N=none; L=low; M=medium; H=high)

    The “Drought Tolerance” column is meant to provide a way for SMP designers to select appropriate native plants that can survive in hot summer conditions, with a minimum of irrigation. Drought tolerance is defined as the relative tolerance of the plant to drought conditions compared to other plants in the same region (USDA, 2005).

    Salt Tolerance (N=none; L=low; M=medium; H=high; U=unknown)

    This column ranks the relative tolerance of a species to salt content in the soil. If U (unknown) is displayed, no research was found for that particular species.

    Mature Canopy Spread

    This column gives the SMP designer a rough estimate of the diameter (or spread) of a tree species’ branching when it has matured. This information indicates what the light conditions will be like beneath the tree for understory plantings; how much space should be left open between the tree planting pit and any vertical structures, such as buildings; how far apart the trees should be planted; and it gives an idea, along with the mature height of the species, of the tree’s growth habit. The mature canopy spread also provides a rough idea for how much leaf surface area will be available to intercept stormwater before it reaches the ground. The designer should also consider critical lines for sight for vehicular or pedestrian traffic.

    Mature Height

    This column provides the approximate mature height of plant species in optimal growing conditions. This height may be reduced dramatically in the urban environment where light, space, and other factors may not be as readily available as in a forest or field setting. However, by providing as much space as possible for a plant to grow and by choosing appropriate species for a planting area, improved – if not optimal – growing conditions can be achieved. For example, a tree planted in a sidewalk pit measuring four feet by four feet may only reach half its mature height, while a tree planted in a four-foot-wide “trough” style planting bed will grow taller and live longer, because it will have greater access to air and water.

    Light Requirement

    The light requirements for each species are listed as ranges between full shade and full sun. At the bottom of the range – full shade – plants thrive in conditions where they receive filtered, or dappled, light for the entire day (such as under an oak tree). In the middle of the range are plants that grow best in partial shade, where they are in full shade for two to three hours during midday. Plants that require full sun should be sited so that they receive five or more hours of direct sun during the growing season. Some plants requiring full sun may still do well in a partial shade environment, depending on the quality and duration of the light the plants receive when they are not in the shade.

    Nativity

    A native plant is an indigenous species that occurred in the region prior to settlement by the Europeans. In this column, each species is located within a range of nativity to Philadelphia. Plants known to have existed in Philadelphia County are native to Philadelphia, while a wider geographic range lists plants native to the state, but not necessarily to the county. The widest geographic range lists a few species native to the United States, but not necessarily to Pennsylvania. The plants listed that are not specifically native to Philadelphia are included because of their demonstrated success within SMPs.

    Commercial Availability (C=Container; P=Plug; S=Seed)

    Herbaceous plants often come in a form known as a plug. These are often grown and sold in trays of 50 of the same species. They are essentially very small container plants, with a root/soil mass about an inch wide and two to four inches long. Most species available in plug form are also sold as seed. Often, a combination of plugs and seed will be used to establish a SMP quickly and provide immediate visual interest and stabilization.

    Container-grown plants include trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants. This is an excellent alternative to the far more expensive balled-and–burlapped (B&B) form of trees and shrubs, although the size of the tree is almost always smaller. Nurseries often provide a few container sizes for each species. This information is provided as guidance, and determining what is currently commercially available will require the designer to contact nurseries and plant providers directly.  

    Notes

    PWD has included recommendations for street trees in the “Notes” column of Table I-1 to assist designers in selection of vegetation most appropriate for the harsh conditions that are often associated in close proximity to streets. It is likely that most of these areas will be hot in summer months until the trees become established.

    Table I-1: Native and Recommended Non-Invasive Plants

    Table I-1 is too large to display in the browser. Download a PDF copy.

    Prohibited Invasive Plants and Noxious Weeds

    Invasive plants reproduce rapidly, degrade, and take over natural ecosystems. Under no circumstance should they be planted in a SMP. Nonetheless, because of appealing characteristics, some of these invasive plants are available for sale; care should be taken not to purchase them. Cultivating an ability to identify and remove invasives before they establish themselves is advantageous; due to their gregarious reproductive strategies, they can be especially difficult to eradicate once they take hold. For a list of invasive species to avoid planting, the designer is referred to the Invasive Plant Fact Sheets webpage from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). 

    Noxious weeds, as defined by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, “are identified as a plant that is determined to be injurious to public health, crops, livestock, agricultural land or other property and cannot be sold, transported, planted, or otherwise propagated in Pennsylvania.” Under no circumstance should they be planted within an SMP. Table I-2, below, highlights a list of prohibited noxious weeds.

    Table I-2: Prohibited Noxious Weeds
    Prohibited Noxious Weeds, As Identified in Pennsylvania Code Section 110.1: Noxious Weed Control List
    • Marijuana (Cannabis sativa)
    • Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)
    • Canada Thistle (Cirsium arvense)
    • Multiflora Rose (Rosa multiflora)
    • Johnson Grass (Sorghum halepense)
    • Musk Thistle, or Nodding Thistle (Carduus nutans)
    • Bull Thistle, or Spear Thistle (Cirsium vulgare)
    • Jimson Weed (Datura stramonium)
    • Mile-a-minute (Polygonum perfoliatum)
    • Kudzu (Pueraria lobata)
    • Shattercane (Sorghum bicolor)
    • Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum)
    • Goatsrue (Galega officinalis)
  • J. Construction Certification Package

    It is important, both for the property owner and for the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD), to ensure that all stormwater management practices (SMPs) are constructed in strict accordance with the Approved Post‑Construction Stormwater Management Plan (PCSMP). The Construction Certification Package (CCP) provides PWD with documentation that SMPs have been properly installed. The CCP consists of photographs, material receipts, and SMP Construction Certification Forms that must be customized by the design engineer prior to PCSMP Approval; these documents must be kept on-site and completed by a registered professional during construction. Appendix J contains a description of the required CCP documentation and a collection of customizable SMP Construction Certification Forms to be populated with key information during construction and installation.

  • K. Record Drawing Sample

    Along with the Construction Certification Package, the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) requires that Record Drawing(s) be submitted at the close of the project to ensure that the stormwater management practices (SMPs) and their elements were constructed in general accordance with the Approved Post‑Construction Stormwater Management Plan (PCSMP), and to document any field changes. Record Drawing(s) are required for SMP verification and are a key component of PWD’s compliance reporting and post-construction inspection procedures. Samples demonstrating how Approved PCSMP plan sheets should be marked-up in order to prepare Record Drawings are provided in Appendix K.

  • L. Standard Details

    Typical construction details for several SMPs, including all of PWD’s highest-preference SMPs, such as bioinfiltration/bioretention basins, porous pavement, and green roof, and for SMP-related structures, such as cleanouts, observations wells, and outlet control structures, are available for download in AutoCAD (*.dwg) format in Appendix L. These Standard Details incorporate design specifications pursuant to each SMP’s respective design and material requirements. The designer is encouraged, not required, to use them for PCSMP creation when possible.

  • M. PCSMP Project Closeout

    At the conclusion of construction, the applicant is responsible for ensuring project closeout with the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD). To complete the project closeout process, the following criteria must be met:

    1. Resolve all construction violations (Sections 5.1.3 and 5.2).
    2. Pay all review fees in full (Section 2.3.1).
    3. Obtain a Post‑Construction Stormwater Management (PCSM) Final Inspection Report indicating all stormwater management practice (SMP) construction as complete (Section 5.1.4).
    4. Execute and record an Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Agreement reflecting the constructed conditions (Section 6.1).
    5. Submit a compliant Record Drawing (Section 5.3.2).

    Once the closeout process is complete, PWD will resolve the “Hold Permit Completion” on the “PWD Stormwater Mgmt. Review” for the associated Licenses and Inspections (L&I) building permit(s) in eCLIPSE.  Applicants do not need to contact PWD to request resolution of the eCLIPSE permit(s) hold. At closeout, PWD will automatically resolve the hold in eCLIPSE for all associated permits on all eligible projects.

    For phased projects, the applicant may choose to complete the closeout criteria in piecemeal and request that PWD resolve the hold on permits that are ready for occupancy even if the entire project is not yet complete.

    In addition, once the project closeout is complete, non-residential projects may apply for Stormwater Credits on their monthly water bill (Section 6.3).

Jump to Top