{"id":2,"date":"2021-07-30T23:57:29","date_gmt":"2021-07-30T23:57:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/water.phila.gov\/stormwater\/?page_id=2"},"modified":"2026-04-17T13:13:57","modified_gmt":"2026-04-17T17:13:57","slug":"stormwater","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/water.phila.gov\/stormwater\/","title":{"rendered":"Stormwater"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<section class=\"wp-block-ls-fwsection alignwide has-light-yellow-background-color mv0 pv0\"><div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-ls-divwrap  has-light-yellow-background-color\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading noicons\"><strong>Notice:<\/strong> Upcoming Maintenance<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Some of our systems will be down for maintenance on <strong>April&nbsp;21<\/strong> from <strong class=\"ib\">10:00&nbsp;am to 2:00&nbsp;pm<\/strong> (approximately). This will affect the Parcel&nbsp;Viewer, Credits&nbsp;Explorer, and Reg&nbsp;Finder applications. <span class=\"ib\">Thank you for your patience!<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns wp-block-ls-sidebars is-style-left-sidebar is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column main-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is stormwater?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-gray-blue-color has-text-color has-md-font-size\">In a natural, undeveloped environment, rain falls on the ground and evaporates or is absorbed into the soil. In an urban, developed environment such as Philadelphia, rain falls on the ground, &#8220;runs off&#8221; and flows into the sewer system. This water is referred to as stormwater or stormwater runoff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full col-12\"><a href=\"https:\/\/water.phila.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/images\/natural-vs-urban-runoff.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/water.phila.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/images\/natural-vs-urban-runoff.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2427\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Click to expand<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column wp-block-ls-sidebar sidebar-column primary is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<aside class=\"wp-block-group wp-block-ls-widget\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading widget-title\">Quick Links<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/water.phila.gov\/stormwater\/billing\/\" data-type=\"page\">Learn about your storm water charge<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/water.phila.gov\/stormwater\/billing\/appeals\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"990\">File an appeal<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/stormwater.phila.gov\/parcelviewer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Parcel Viewer<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/water.phila.gov\/stormwater\/connect\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"1347\">Stormwater Connect<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons flexwrap fa-center is-horizontal is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-499968f5 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-100 noicons is-style-small img-v col-12 col-xs-6 col-ms-12 mv_25\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-pale-gray-background-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/pwdraincheck.org\/en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/water.phila.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/images\/rain-check-logo.png\" alt=\"Rain Check\"><br>Save money on home projects that protect Philadelphia\u2019s waterways<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-100 is-style-small img-v col-12 col-xs-6 col-ms-12 mv_25\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-pale-gray-background-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/water.phila.gov\/stormwater\/pioneers\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-3778 pb_5\" src=\"https:\/\/water.phila.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/images\/stormwater-pioneers.png\" alt=\"Stormwater Pioneers\"> <br>Recognizing the best in stormwater management on private property<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-ls-fwsection alignwide has-white-background-color\" id=\"why-manage-stormwater\"><div class=\"container\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why do we need to manage stormwater?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column col-12 col-sm-6 col-md-7 order-sm-2 is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p class=\"has-md-font-size\">Stormwater runoff has been identified as the number one cause of pollution to rivers and streams, the source of our drinking water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group table\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"semibold mv0\">When it rains or snows, stormwater runoff:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list mt0\">\n<li>contributes to combined sewer overflows<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>pollutes our rivers with fertilizers, oil and sediment<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>destroys valuable aquatic and riparian habitat<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>floods homes and businesses<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column col-12 col-sm-6 col-md-5 is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/water.phila.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/images\/active-cso.jpg\" alt=\"water from a combined sewer outfall overflows into a stream after a heavy rain\" class=\"wp-image-3790\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns clearbefore is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column col-12 col-md-6 is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\" id=\"combined-sewer\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Combined Sewer System<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In areas with combined sewers, a single pipe carries both stormwater from streets, houses, and businesses as well as waste water from houses and businesses to a water treatment plant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-sm-font-size\">During dry weather, the combined sewer system and wastewater treatment plants have the capacity to transport and treat all the wastewater entering the system, but when there is a lot of rain or snowmelt, the combined runoff and sewage may overwhelm the system, filling the pipes faster than our treatment plants can clean it, and overflowing into our rivers and streams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-sm-font-size\">Waterways where a combined sewer outfall is overflowing, or has overflowed in the last 24 hours, are unsafe for any type of recreation. <a href=\"https:\/\/water.phila.gov\/maps\/csocast\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Check CSOcast for information on recent combined sewer overflows.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column col-12 col-md-6 is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\" id=\"separate-sewer\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Separate Sewer System<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In areas with separate sewers, one pipe carries stormwater to the city\u2019s streams while another carries wastewater to a water treatment plant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-sm-font-size\">This prevents waste from the sanitary sewers from mixing with stormwater, but means runoff is discharged directly into rivers and streams without being treated. Rainwater and melting snow and ice flowing over impervious surfaces like streets, sidewalks, and parking lots collects pollution along the way, mixing with motor oil, de-icing salt, and other chemicals, and carrying litter, animal waste, and debris into the storm drains and out into our waterways.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how\">How does Philadelphia manage stormwater?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-md-font-size\">PWD manages stormwater by building and maintaining public stormwater infrastructure and by regulating development projects in the city. We use a combination of traditional &#8220;gray&#8221; infrastructure and green infrastructure projects to reduce flooding and minimize pollution entering our waterways.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/water.phila.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/images\/tree-trench-wet-weather.jpg\" alt=\"As it rains on this block, water that lands on the sidewalk flows into a series of stormwater tree pits, while a curb cut with a decorative metal cover allows water from the street to flow into a stormwater planter set on the edge of the sidewalk between two of the trees.\" class=\"wp-image-3791\" style=\"width:600px;height:800px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>Traditional or &#8220;gray&#8221; infrastructure<\/strong> stormwater management uses gutters, drains, and pipes to collect stormwater runoff and transport it to treatment plants or nearby bodies of water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Green stormwater infrastructure<\/strong> or &#8220;GSI&#8221; uses soil, plants, and stone to capture and use stormwater where it falls, allowing it to be soaked up by plants or soil, evaporate into the air, or released more slowly into the traditional infrastructure system for treatment at a manageable rate. <a href=\"https:\/\/water.phila.gov\/gsi\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"2102\">Learn more about GSI&nbsp;\u2192<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading light has-xl-font-size has-bright-blue-color has-text-color\" id=\"gccw\">Green City, <span class=\"ib has-green-color\">Clean Waters<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>While most traditional stormwater infrastructure is built and maintained by the city, green infrastructure is more decentralized, and so can &#8211; and must, in order to meet our goals, and state and federal regulations &#8211; be implemented in a variety of ways throughout the city, on public and private property.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Green City, Clean Waters<\/em> is Philadelphia\u2019s 25-year plan to reduce combined sewer overflows through treatment plant upgrades and the installation of green stormwater infrastructure in streets, parks, schools and other public spaces, as well as regulations and incentives encourage the private sector to use green stormwater infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading noicons\"><a href=\"https:\/\/water.phila.gov\/green-city\/\" data-type=\"page\">Learn more about <em>Green City, Clean Waters<\/em>&nbsp;\u2192<\/a><\/h5>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What is stormwater? In a natural, undeveloped environment, rain falls on the ground and evaporates or is absorbed into the soil. In an urban, developed environment such as Philadelphia, rain falls on the ground, &#8220;runs off&#8221; and flows into the sewer system. This water is referred to as stormwater or stormwater runoff. Quick Links How [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"custom_css":".gccw10 { padding: 1em 0; }\r\n.gccw10 a { margin-left: 1em; background-color: #fff; color: #6C5569; padding: .3em .5em .35em 0; border-radius: 5px; box-shadow: 1px 1px 3px #6c5569; }\r\n.gccw10 a:hover, h4.gccw10 a:focus, h4.gccw10 a:active { text-decoration: none;  box-shadow: 1px 1px 5px 1px #6c5569; }\r\n\r\n.wp-block-button.is-style-small a.has-pale-gray-background-color { background-color: transparent !important; font-size: 90%; padding-top: .6em; padding-bottom: .7em; }\r\n.wp-block-button.is-style-small a.has-pale-gray-background-color:hover, .wp-block-button.is-style-small a.has-pale-gray-background-color:focus { background-color: #fff !important; color: #03a !important; }\r\n.wp-block-button.is-style-small a.has-pale-gray-background-color img { max-height: 8em; width: auto; }\r\n.wp-block-button.img-v a { flex-direction: column; }\r\n.wp-block-button.img-v a br { display: none; }\r\n\r\n@media (min-width: 600px){\r\n  .order-sm-2 { order: 2; }\r\n}\r\n@media (min-width: 750px){\r\n  .col-ms-12 { width: 100%; flex: 1 0 auto !important; }\r\n}","custom_js":"","noindex":""},"section":[],"class_list":["post-2","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","wpautop"],"acf":[],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","canonical_url":"https:\/\/phila.gov\/stormwater\/","smart_links":{"inbound":0,"outbound":0},"traffic_boost_suggestions_count":0,"meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"WebPage","headline":"Stormwater","url":"http:\/\/water.phila.gov\/stormwater\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"http:\/\/water.phila.gov\/stormwater\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":""},"articleSection":"Uncategorized","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Lauren Sell"}],"creator":["Lauren Sell"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Stormwater","logo":""},"keywords":[],"dateCreated":"2021-07-30T23:57:29Z","datePublished":"2021-07-30T23:57:29Z","dateModified":"2026-04-17T17:13:57Z"},"rendered":"<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"wp-parsely-metadata\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"headline\":\"Stormwater\",\"url\":\"http:\\\/\\\/water.phila.gov\\\/stormwater\\\/\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/water.phila.gov\\\/stormwater\\\/\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"url\":\"\"},\"articleSection\":\"Uncategorized\",\"author\":[{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Lauren Sell\"}],\"creator\":[\"Lauren Sell\"],\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"Stormwater\",\"logo\":\"\"},\"keywords\":[],\"dateCreated\":\"2021-07-30T23:57:29Z\",\"datePublished\":\"2021-07-30T23:57:29Z\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-17T17:13:57Z\"}<\/script>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/phila.gov\/p.js"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/water.phila.gov\/stormwater\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/water.phila.gov\/stormwater\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/water.phila.gov\/stormwater\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/water.phila.gov\/stormwater\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/water.phila.gov\/stormwater\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/water.phila.gov\/stormwater\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4194,"href":"https:\/\/water.phila.gov\/stormwater\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2\/revisions\/4194"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/water.phila.gov\/stormwater\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"section","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/water.phila.gov\/stormwater\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/section?post=2"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}