Philadelphia Water Department Unveils Upgraded System to Strengthen Drinking Water Safety at Water Treatment Plant During National Drinking Water Week

Philadelphia celebrates updated system to protect drinking water from lead plumbing and the vital role water plays in our lives

PHILADELPHIA – During National Drinking Water Week, the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) and City officials held a ribbon-cutting to celebrate the completion of an updated zinc orthophosphate system, a treatment that helps protect drinking water from lead plumbing, at the Samuel S. Baxter Water Treatment Plant located in Northeast Philadelphia. The event also provided an opportunity to highlight the importance of high-quality drinking water and to recognize the vital role water plays in our daily lives.

This investment ensures PWD can continue meeting federal standards under the Environmental Protection Agency’s Lead and Copper Rule, while improving efficiency and positioning the system for future regulatory updates.

“Safe, reliable drinking water is something residents should be able to count on every single day,” said Benjamin Jewell, Commissioner, Philadelphia Water Department. “This upgrade strengthens our ability to protect public health, improves how we operate, and ensures we are delivering high-quality water to homes and businesses across Philadelphia—24 hours a day.”

View a diagram of the zinc orthophosphate system, exterior photos of the facility, and photos of the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The new system replaces equipment originally installed in 1996 that had reached the end of its useful life. Housed in a newly constructed facility, the upgraded system improves how corrosion control treatment is delivered, measured, and monitored using advanced technology to enhance performance and safety.

Key improvements include:

More precise chemical delivery and application
Real-time monitoring and evaluation of treatment effectiveness
Enhanced storage and spill control for improved facility safety
Increased capacity to meet future regulatory requirements

Background on zinc orthophosphate and its funding

Zinc orthophosphate has been a critical part of Philadelphia’s drinking water treatment process for nearly 30 years. It works by forming a protective coating inside pipes, which helps prevent lead plumbing from dissolving into water.

While Philadelphia’s water mains are not made of lead, some privately owned service lines that bring water from the main to customers’ properties may contain lead.

For nearly three decades, Philadelphia has successfully used this process to reduce the impact of lead plumbing in drinking water.

In 2025, PWD completed its latest round of regulatory water testing in homes with lead plumbing. Results confirmed the continued effectiveness of the City’s corrosion control treatment.

This $3 million project is part of PWD’s $4.8 billion capital program over six years—an investment in infrastructure that supports safe, reliable service while reducing long-term maintenance and operational costs.

The updates allow PWD more efficient chemical delivery, storage, application, and monitoring for this federally mandated process. By improving this system with state-of-the-art technology, the department is protecting against higher costs associated with long-term maintenance, storage, and operations.

These upgrades directly support Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s vision of a safer, cleaner, and greener Philadelphia — ensuring residents can see, touch, and feel improvements in essential City services.

PWD operates as a public, nonprofit utility and is committed to responsible use of ratepayer money. Revenue from water rates is reinvested directly into operating and improving Philadelphia’s water infrastructure – protecting public health today and for generations to come.

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