Subjects Sewers & Drainage

Pipes, pumping stations, interceptors or intercepting sewers, outfalls, separate and combined sewers, sewage treatment plants, and any other infrastructure related to the collection and treatment of sewage from homes and businesses.

Drainage and Sewerage Report, 1853

Dealing with the city’s wastes in the mid-19th century

Oak Lane Reservoir pipeline, 1904

The Water and Drainage History of Philadelphia: A seven-part course

Down Under!

Pen and ink drawing of the proposed Delaware Seventh Street Sewer

Plan and profile of proposed Delaware Seventh St. Sewer, 1850

1830 plan for the Pine Street Sewer

Plan of Pine Street Sewer, 1830

Mill Creek Sewer under construction. Several men standing beside a giant partially constructed sewer pipe.

Mill Creek Sewer under construction, 1883

Bill for Privy Cleaning, 1869

Sewer Demand Taken to City Hall, 7/25/32

Outhouse over Schuylkill near Pottstown

Outhouse over the Schuylkill near Pottstown

Photo of a woman looking at a jar of raw, untreated sewage

Jar of raw sewage before treatment, 2000

City officials tour new interceptor sewer, 1953