Baxter Water Treatment Plant Upgrades

Overview

This project enhances the treatment capabilities of the Samuel S. Baxter Water Treatment Plant. The Baxter Water Treatment Plant treats millions of gallons of water every day. It treats the water to make it clean and safe to drink before it reaches your tap. We are upgrading it to keep it that way—and to prepare for the future.

We are making two important upgrades:

1. Add ultraviolet (UV) disinfection. UV light adds an extra layer of protection against potentially harmful microorganisms.
2. Replace the treated water storage basin. This large basin holds clean water before it is sent to homes and businesses.

UV disinfection is a powerful and proven method for making drinking water even safer. It uses UV light to deactivate harmful microorganisms that can cause illness. Examples include viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Baxter’s existing treatment process already removes and disinfects harmful organisms. UV disinfection adds an extra safeguard.

The treated water storage basin at Baxter is reaching the end of its useful life. We are replacing this basin with a new one to continue reliably delivering water to Philadelphians.

These upgrades will help the treatment plant work better for years to come. They also prepare the plant to meet future water quality and delivery needs. These upgrades are part of our long-term plan to care for Philadelphia’s water system. They help us stay ahead of challenges, protect public health, and keep clean water flowing to Philadelphians.