Drops (of Knowledge) – Philadelphia Water Department

Response to PennEnvironment Sewage Pollution Report

March 2026 Announcements, Green City, Clean Waters, Infrastructure

PWD champions the goal of cleaner, healthier rivers and streams for Philadelphians and visitors alike, and value the advocates who care deeply about protecting our waterways for generations to come. However, some characterizations of PWD’s work in the recent PennEnvironment report “Sewage Pollution in the Philadelphia-Camden Region” do not fully reflect the complexity of managing and upgrading an aging urban sewer system while safeguarding public health and balancing affordability for ratepayers.

Dye testing near Wissahickon Creek

December 2025 Announcements

Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) has been conducting routine dye testing in neighborhoods near Henry Avenue and the Wissahickon creek. As a result, a bright green color may be seen in the water. The dye used, Fluorescein, is a fluorescent compound commonly used in water tracing studies. It is non-toxic, safe for humans and wildlife, and […]

Support Available for Federal Workers Affected by Shutdown

November 2025 Announcements

Support is available for federal employees affected by the government shutdown. Federal workers who have not received a paycheck during the federal government shutdown can apply to defer residential water bill payments and Real Estate Tax payment agreements until after the federal government reopens, with no late fees or penalties. Learn more and apply online.

Dept. of Revenue Warns of Scam Water Bill Site

November 2025 Announcements

Scammers are using a fake website to trick Philadelphia water customers into providing payment information. They’ve created a fraudulent website with a similar domain name to the legitimate City of Philadelphia water bill payment website. The fake website, “myphillywaterbill.com”, mimics the City’s official MyPhillyWaterBill payment website. It appears in regular search engine results when customers attempt to pay […]

Benjamin C. Jewell Appointed Commissioner of the Philadelphia Water Department

October 2025 Announcements, Press Releases

Mayor Cherelle L. Parker announced today the appointment of the next leader of the Philadelphia Water Department, Benjamin C. Jewell. Commissioner Jewell’s appointment as Water Commissioner was effective last week. Jewell will take responsibility for managing all units and a staff of approximately 2,200 at the Water Department.

New rate information effective September 2025

August 2025 Announcements, Bill Features, Rates & Charges

Your water bill supports critical infrastructure. We do not profit from rate increases. We ask for the amount needed to cover the cost of services we must provide. On September 1st, 2025, a monthly water bill for a typical residential customer is increasing by 9.4%.

Delaware River Festival, Saturday, September 27, 2025

Delaware River Festival 2025

August 2025 Announcements, Bill Features, Events

Join us in celebrating the Delaware River at the Delaware River Festival, September 27th, at Penn’s Landing!

Philly Fun Fishing Fest returns September 6, 2025

July 2025 Announcements, Events

Enjoy a morning of free catch-and-release fishing and friendly competition on Schuylkill Banks, Saturday, September 6th – Registration open now!

AFSCME DC 33 Strike

July 2025 Announcements

On July 1, 2025, AFSCME District Council 33 initiated an open-ended strike, resulting in reduced workforce and impacting many job functions across the City of Philadelphia, including the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD). There are DC 33 members who are instrumental in maintaining the PWD system work at a high-quality level. We are prepared to continue […]

2024 Drinking Water Quality Report

June 2025 Announcements, Water Quality

This report features water quality information collected throughout 2024. You will also find information about where your water comes from, and how we protect your safety as water moves from the rivers, through our plants and pipes, and into your home.