Philly H2O: Home Page

The History of Philadelphia's Watersheds and Sewers

Compiled by
Adam Levine
Historical Consultant
Philadelphia Water Department

It has been my pleasurable challenge, as a consultant to the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) since 1998, to try to piece together the fascinating history of the city's many lost streams. PWD has preserved its own collection of historical material, which is a rich source of information, and I have supplemented that base with research in local libraries, historical societies, archives and relevant departments of the city government.

Besides many useful written records, I have uncovered a wide range of graphic material including paintings and drawings, maps and plans, photographs and surveys. This material stretches across the breadth of the city's long history, since changes were made in the landscape almost as soon as William Penn began building his new city along the Delaware River in 1682. The bottom line is that, over the course of several centuries, most of the city's surface streams have been channeled underground and incorporated into the city's 3,000 mile sewer system.

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We are in the process of updating PhillyH2O, with a new look and, more importantly, with additional content that better reflects what you're looking for when you come here. Please take a minute to fill out a survey for us, which will help us create an improved site that better serves your needs and interests. The survey is completely anonymous. You can find it at this link.
THANK YOU!
Adam Levine

Besides the main site links, here are a few highlights:
PWD Water and Sewer History Course: Seven lessons online
***Online Exhibit: 100th Anniversary of Water Filtration in Philadelphia***

The main theme of Philly H2O can be found at

where I explore the many ways that the topography of the city has been transformed over the years to facilitate drainage,
to improve public health, and to promote real estate development.

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Many interesting reports, articles and images can be found at

including some of the earliest reports of the Philadelphia Water Department, dating to 1799, and a collection of 19th century documents on the pollution of the Schuylkill River, then as now a major water source.

A growing collection of graphic documents can be found at

including maps of the past and present water and sewer system, maps and plans of Philadelphia, and other material that will reveal some of the aspects of the City that have been transformed over the past 300 years.

Information about me, Webmaster and Sewermeister, can be found at

where I also describe in an informal resume some of my related activities, including a variety of lectures, archives management, historical consulting and research, and guided tours of PWD facilities.

The story that got me started down the drain, so to speak, is told at

I hope you take time to read this story and explore the entire site, to delve deep under its surface as I once delved under the surface of the city when I suited up and took an hour-long walk in a Philadelphia sewer.

SEARCHING THE SITE: The Google search box above is the best way to find specific things on PhillyH2O.
The "Archives" link provides detailed descriptions of all material on the site.
At the "Maps" link, thumbnails and brief descriptions of the maps can be found.
And as on any Web site, all pages are searchable with the "Find" tool under the "Edit" toolbar in your browser.

LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK OF PhillyH2O

Part of what makes this my work on this site worthwhile is knowing that
people out there are using it. Please contact me with any ideas about ways
to improve the site, material I might want to add, suggestions for links
to other sites, or any dead links.

PHOTO CAPTIONS AND CREDITS
Click links for larger versions
LEFT: Construction of Rock Run Sewer, 1922. This pipe obliterated Rock Run,
once a tributary of Tacony Creek. (City Archives) [101 kb]
CENTER: Mill Creek Sewer, West Philadelphia, ca. 1883. This large sewer, built over a 25-year period, ran for five
miles and obliterated the West Philadelphia stream for which it is named. (PWD) [244 kb]
RIGHT: Sandy Run Sewer, 1942. Once finished, this pipe obliterated most of Sandy Run,
a Pennypack Creek tributary. (City Archives) [127 kb]

Website by Panacea Design and Adam Levine
Page last updated May 16, 2018