Topics Infrastructure

Color drawing of an elevated water reservoir on the banks of a river with green land shown on either bank

Isometrical View of Fairmount Water Works, 1843

Fourth of July in Centre Square, John Lewis Krimmel, ca. 1812. The wooden statue in the fountain, “Allegory of the Schuylkill River (Water Nymph and Bittern)”, was carved in 1809 by Philadelphia sculptor William Rush.

Fourth of July, Centre Square, ca. 1812

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

Centre Square Engine House, location of one of two steam engines used in the city’s original water system. Engraving by Birch.

Centre Square Engine House, ca. 1807

Bethlehem Water Works, 2011

A Roman aqueduct in Segovia, Spain, 2006

Roman Aqueduct in Segovia, Spain

Norman Lofton inspects sewer at Ditman and Sheffield, 1987

Sewer crawler Clarence Baskerville checks tunnel for leaks. He has faced the dangers of working in sewers for past three years, 1971

Norman Lofton inspects sewer at Ditman and Sheffield, 1987

Inspector looking for problems in sewer

Sewer crawler Tom Cross, heading down the manhole at 26th and Grays Ferry, 1982

General view of sewer looking up manhole as other Water Dept. personnel look down.