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Historic resources from our archives - images, maps, documents, and more.

A Brief History of Water in Northwest Philadelphia

Repurposing Old Infrastructure: Water History Video 5

Diagram showing the Philadelphia Water Department's water treatment process

PWD Drinking Water Treatment diagram

Frederick Graff’s drawing of the 1815 steam engine, adapted from a design by Englishmen Matthew Boulton and James Watt, shows the engine from the north, with Faire Mount and the reservoirs to the left of the drawing and the river to the right. The 1815 engine sat on the south side of the Engine House and was thus called the South Engine. As Graff indicated in his drawing, the Engine House was essentially open from river level to the roof in order to accommodate the massive beam and fly wheel of the two engines. While Graff showed the crank attached to the axle of the fly wheel, he left the crank shaft and the pump out of the drawing. The North Engine, designed and built in 1816 by Philadelphian Oliver Evans, advanced steam engines’ operating pressures from 2 pounds per square inch (psi) to 200 psi, a significant technological achievement.

Steam engine drawing, Frederick Graff Sr., 1815

A section of wooden water pipe, long out of service, removed from a Philadelphia street in 1901. It had been installed about 1801.

Wooden Water Pipe, removed from Market Street, December 6, 1901

Bethlehem Water Works, 2011

1779 Philadelphia map

1779 Revolutionary War-era map of Philadelphia and environs

Color Diagram of Plan for the Collection, Purification and Disposal of the Sewage of the City of Philadelphia

Captain Sewer and Michael Nutter, 1998

Captain Sewer and Michael Nutter, 1998

30th Street Sewer

30th Street Sewer

Ventilating cover for manholes

Ventilating cover for manholes

Torresdale Conduit work gang, 1906

Torresdale Conduit work gang, 12/18/1906