PEC works with many groups to improve water quality in the Delaware River Basin by encouraging the use of Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI). GSI is a solution that can be deployed at almost any scale — from big commercial properties all the way down to residential backyards. It uses natural solutions to filter and absorb stormwater where it falls, reducing the amount of water entering storm sewers.
Especially in older cities, a heavy downpour can quickly overwhelm sewage systems, causing them to overflow into nearby rivers and streams. In Philadelphia, stormwater runoff drains into the same system used for wastewater — sometimes causing untreated sewage to back up and overflow along with excess stormwater.
GSI is a solution that can be deployed at almost any scale — from big commercial properties all the way down to residential backyards.
Through multiple ongoing initiatives, including The Upstream Suburban Philadelphia Collaborative, the PEC watersheds program is focused on easing stormwater impacts in Greater Philadelphia using green infrastructure solutions, along with cleanup and restoration projects, riparian buffers, public outreach and education, and more.
Our Upstream Suburban Philadelphia partners include: the Darby Creek Valley Association, Eastern Delaware County Stormwater Collaborative, Friends of Poquessing Watershed, Lower Merion Conservancy, Pennsylvania Resources Council, Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust, Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership, Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association, Temple University Center for Sustainable Communities, and Villanova University.