ABSTRACT
Keywords: Infrastructure; sewer laterals; wastewater
1 INTRODUCTION
The Philadelphia PWD (PWD) is a municipal utility serving the citizens of the Philadelphia region by providing integrated water, wastewater, stormwater, and biosolids services. One of the objectives outlined in its mission statement is to strike an appropriate balance between cost and environmental protection, being sensitive to both the environment and the needs of its ratepayers.The PWD has made great strides in improving the quality of both its drinking water as well as the environment. For instance, it was not that long ago that people could smell the odour emanating from the city’s rivers from a mile away. The Schuylkill and Delaware rivers were so severely polluted that they had become an environmental liability and an embarrassment to the city. However, during the 1970s and 1980s, the PWD took action and invested a total of $1 billion (75% federally funded) to reconstruct wastewater treatment plants to provide secondary treatment in order to improve effluent quality. Thanks to this clean-up effort, the quality and vitality of the Schuylkill and Delaware rivers has improved dramatically. Furthermore, the PWD is continuing with its ongoing efforts to combat pollution and preserve precious resources in its smaller watersheds as well.
