Drops (of Knowledge)

diagram of a typical water meter shows the register, a round dial on top with a 6-10 digit display, and a small blue dial indicating active use for even small amounts of water. The data transmitter is attached to the upper back of the meter.

Checking for Leaks

High water bills can be caused by small leaks from household fixtures like toilets, sinks, or hoses, or with a change in your regular water use. Remember, the Philadelphia Water Department is not responsible for pipes inside your home. We cannot verify that you have a leak, nor can we repair leaks in your home. […]

Rate Change Hearings in March

Facing financial impacts from the pandemic and costs that were rising even before the crisis, we filed a formal request for a rate change last month.  If approved, water bills for residential customers would increase by 11.6% in September 2021 and 5.3% the following September. For a typical resident using 3,740 gallons a month, the bill would […]

Shutoff Freeze: Residents Protected Until April 2022

The Philadelphia Water Department is again extending a freeze on shutoffs for residential customers, protecting those account holders from losing water services until April 2022. Since the start of the pandemic, more than 70,000 customers have benefitted from shutoff protection. Another 15,000 previously shut off customers had water restored at the start of the pandemic. […]

Extreme cold: Prepare for water emergencies, frozen pipes

Whenever below-freezing temperatures are forecast for more than 48 hours in a row, customers should protect their pipes from freezing and be prepared for potential water main breaks: If you see water in the street or believe there is a main break, call (215) 685-6300 right away. Follow @PhillyH2O on Twitter for more information.

Grants from State Help Philly Fund Big Pollution Control Projects

The Philadelphia Water Department is moving forward on a big-ticket, sustainable infrastructure project unlike any seen since federal funding helped the city expand wastewater treatment and meet new Clean Water Act standards in the 1980s. Construction of the new $100 million preliminary treatment building was green-lighted thanks to a low-interest loan awarded by the Pennsylvania […]

Proposed Changes in Water, Sewer, and Stormwater Rates and Charges

On January 15, 2021, the Philadelphia Water Department filed an Advance Notice with City Council and the Philadelphia Water, Sewer, and Storm Water Rate Board of the Department’s intent to propose an increase in water, sewer, and stormwater rates effective September 1, 2021. The proposal is subject to the review and authorization of the Rate […]

Protecting Customers During COVID Lockdown

Due to ongoing economic hardship created by the COVID-19 pandemic: We will not shut off customers unable to pay water bills until April 1st, 2021.  Penalties and fees on delinquent accounts are waived until further notice. However, your past-due total will continue to grow with each missed payment. Don’t wait until you have a big debt […]

See Our Statement on the Dangers of Swimming in Philadelphia

Because of the health and safety concerns that come with swimming and any recreation that involves immersion in water, the Philadelphia Water Department does not recommend swimming in any river or creek in Philadelphia. In response to efforts to change the current recreation status of the Delaware River to allow for swimming within the city, […]

Jump to Top