The Stormwater Pioneers program recognizes the best in stormwater management on private property.
The selected projects demonstrate innovation, excellence, the ability to overcome technical challenges and a true dedication by the property owners, developers and designers to improving the environment and reducing stormwater runoff.
More and more Philadelphia businesses are using green infrastructure to manage stormwater runoff on their properties. Whether required by PWD regulations or encouraged through incentives, private property owners recognize the important role they play in reducing pollution in our streams when it rains. They are also setting a higher bar with excellent, cost-effective designs.
2024 Stormwater Pioneers
This year, PWD is recognizing Awbury Arboretum and the Philadelphia Federal Credit Union (PFCU). Both institutions have implemented outstanding green stormwater infrastructure projects on their properties. These local establishments represent excellence in retrofitting existing systems to manage stormwater runoff.
Philadelphia Federal Credit Union
The project was planned as an update to the stormwater management infrastructure at PFCU’s headquarters at 12800 Townsend Road in Northeast Philadelphia.
Built in the mid-1990s, the original system no longer met PWD’s regulations. PFCU’s retrofit project reconfigured the existing basin — expanding its original capacity. PFCU’s project allows the basin to manage a greater volume of stormwater. This reduces runoff pollution to nearby Poquessing Creek and City sewers. Construction on the basin was completed in March 2023.
Read more about PFCU’s project
Awbury Arboretum
Awbury Arboretum’s Stormwater Basin project restored the ponds and watercourse on the property’s southwest portion and provided much-needed management of stormwater runoff.
This system diverts combined sewer overflows from polluting the Tacony-Frankford Creek.
The arboretum’s pond and watercourse are the only existing above-ground portion of the Wingohocking Creek, which was transformed into sewers starting in the late 19th century.
Read more about Awbury’s project
Previous Stormwater Pioneers
Learn more about Stormwater Pioneers we’ve recognized so far.
