Philadelphia Promotes 'Green' Projects to Reduce Sewer Overflows

This article describes efforts by the Philadelphia Water Department’s Office of Watersheds to reduce the amount of run-off entering the city’s old combined sewer system. Their strategy includes requiring developers to keep the first inch of rain that falls on a new development out of storm sewers. Demonstration projects have shown that the use of porous asphalt allows rainwater to seep through pavement and into the subsurface rather than washing off into the sewer system. The construction of green roofs, which absorb rainwater, can also keep water out of the sewer system. Similarly, vegetative bioswales, a sloped water drainage course through vegetation, helps remove pollutants and allow the earth to absorb run-off.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/10480594
• Authors:
  • Hansen, Brett
• Publication Date: 2007-1

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Pagination: pp 25-26
• Serial:
  • Civil Engineering
  • Volume: 77
  • Issue Number: 1
  • Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers
  • ISSN: 0885-7024
  • Serial URL: http://www.pubs.asce.org/ceonline/newce/html

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Asphalt pavements; Drainage; Porous materials; Runoff
• Subject Areas: Environment; Hydraulics and Hydrology; Pipelines;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01042975
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: UC Berkeley Transportation Library
• Files: BTRIS, TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 1 2007 1:19PM