Watershed Plans & Reports

PWD has created or collaborated with watershed stakeholders to create several assessment and planning documents for our watersheds. These documents range from detailed characterization reports summarizing technical information to more holistic conservation plans intended to enhance quality of life for residents in our watersheds.

Green City, Clean Waters Comprehensive Monitoring Plan

A revised Clean Waters Comprehensive Monitoring Plan was submitted to the PADEP and USEPA January 10, 2014. The plan has been revised to incorporate PWD’s responses to comments received from PADEP and USEPA. The revised plan is currently under review for approval. It is our initial plan for performing monitoring of natural and engineered systems associated with our Green City, Clean Waters program and addresses the monitoring and assessment of surface waters, groundwater, rainfall, CSO discharges, sewer flows, and green infrastructure performance.

TitleLast UpdatedFile SizeBytes
10.15 MB10641300

Plans and Reports by Watershed

See descriptions below table for more information.

TitleWatershedTypeDateFile SizeBytes
Darby-CobbsIWMP15.98 MB16754166
TTFIWMP15.20 MB15934386
Darby-CobbsCCR4.73 MB4960718
PennypackCCR33.41 MB35034331
PennypackCCR7.29 MB7641802
PoquessingCCR17.95 MB18821247
PoquessingCCR44.04 MB46183504
TTFCCR8.04 MB8431223
WissahickonCCR13.77 MB14443621
Darby-CobbsRCP29.79 MB31235354
PennypackRCP36.29 MB38056722
PoquessingRCP8.82 MB9253039
PoquessingRCP79.59 MB83454726
SchuylkillRCP1.77 MB1851097
TTFRCP16.42 MB17213104
TTFRCP1.78 MB1869531
WissahickonRCP22.03 MB23101778
DelawareSWPP5.48 MB5742668
DelawareSWA44.69 MB46859379
SchuylkillSWPP33.53 MB35163670
SchuylkillSWA50.82 MB53287832
Darby-CobbsAct 16719.87 MB20839441
PennypackAct 16712.13 MB12722963
PennypackAct 1673.85 MB4040548
PoquessingAct 16715.62 MB16382531
PoquessingAct 16744.73 MB46904034
TTFAct 16738.81 MB40694321

The table above includes:

Integrated Watershed Management Plans (IWMP)

These plans present a logical and affordable pathway to restore and protect the beneficial and designated uses of the waters of a basin. Based on extensive physical, chemical and biological assessments, the plan explores the nature, causes, severity and opportunities for control of water quality impairments in the watershed. The primary intent of the planning process, as articulated by the stakeholders, is to improve the environmental health and safe enjoyment of the watershed by sharing resources and through cooperation among residents and other stakeholders in the watershed. The goals of the initiative are to protect, enhance, and restore the beneficial uses of the waterway and its riparian areas.

Comprehensive Characterization Reports (CCR)

In order to form the scientific basis for Integrated Watershed Management Plans, technical data is presented and discussed in Comprehensive Characterization Reports (CCR). These documents contain detailed technical information about land use, geology, soils, topography, demographics, meteorology, hydrology, water quality, ecology, fluvial geomorphology, and pollutant loads in a watershed. One CCR is prepared for each watershed, intended to be a single compilation of background and technical documents that can be periodically updated as additional field work or data analyses are completed.

River Conservation Plans (RCP)

The Philadelphia Water Department views the River Conservation Planning process as a holistic approach to improving watershed health as well as a complementary initiative to the Integrated Watershed Management Planning Program. River Conservation Plans are developed through a collaborative process involving local organizations and residents and address various types of projects that will help make the watershed a more desirable place to live. They address broader concepts of how a combination of restoration, maintenance, and/or enhancement initiatives can preserve or improve history, water quality, culture, ecology, parks, art, trails, crime prevention, youth education, municipal education, and much more.

Source Water Protection Plans (SWPP)

The Schuylkill and Delaware River Source Water Protection Plans make recommendations for action based on the source water assessments. Both plans focus on preventing spills in accidents, improving communication among water suppliers during emergencies, and maintaining forest cover critical to drinking water protection.

Source Water Assessments (SWA)

In order to identify watershed-wide priorities for improving source water, we conduct source water assessments with other stakeholders in each watershed. These assessments are intended to be a collaborative effort among all parties with the common interest of improving the quality of our drinking water sources. Coalitions are formed to provide data and resources so stakeholders have them available. These assessments are living documents and are constantly being updated. This year’s research focus has been to examine water quantity in the Schuylkill River and the sustainability of the supply now and in the future.

Act 167

The Pennsylvania Stormwater Management Act of 1978 (PA Act 167) requires the preparation and adoption of stormwater management plans for each watershed within a Pennsylvania county. The main goal of Act 167 plans is to manage stormwater on a watershed basis through establishing peak rate control and management districts for flood control and a model ordinance for municipalities to adopt to better manage stormwater. The plans also aim to reduce erosion, preserve natural stormwater runoff regimes, protect and conserve ground water.


Disclaimer: The information contained on this website is NOT intended to: (A) provide information to investors; (B) be the basis of an investment decision to purchase securities issued by the City of Philadelphia (the City) to fund capital projects for the Philadelphia Water Department; or (C) reach investors in any way. The City maintains an investor information website at phila.gov/investor/index.html to provide information to investors pertaining to the financial condition of the City.

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