Philadelphia Goes Porous

Philadelphia's water department has opened its first street made of porous pavement, which will help city streets safer by absorbing rain water.

1 minute read

May 10, 2011, 9:00 AM PDT

By Tim Halbur

As reporter Jan Ransom puts it:

"Imagine a city where you didn't have to wear knee-high water boots when it rained, or worry about backed-up sewer systems creating havoc on your block - because your street suddenly became a sponge."

The redesign of the 800 block of Percy Street, between Catherine and Christian and 9th and 10th Streets in South Philadelphia, is part of the Philadelphia Water Department's "Green Street" program, which uses a new form of permeable asphalt to reduce runoff. The "Green Street" project is part of the Department's larger "Green City, Clean Waters" plan. PWD's next porous pavement project will be Webster Street, between 13th and Broad in Center City, which will start up in the coming weeks.

Thanks to Wm Benjamin Cromie, AICP

FULL STORY: Porous street unveiled in South Philly

Tuesday, May 10, 2011 in philly.com

Infrastructure Pennsylvania Water Flooding Flood Control Runoff Philadelphia Water Department Philadelphia Streets Department Rina Cutler Mayor Michael Nutter Permiable Porous Water Management View More

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I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

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