Topics Sanitation

Diagram of the Philadelphia Water Department's wastewater treatment process

Wastewater Treatment Process diagram

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

Jar of raw sewage before treatment, 2000

Black and white image of Philadelphia civic and business leaders watching the start of operations at the new Northeast Sewage Treatment Plant, April 6, 1951

Northeast Sewage Plant opening, 1951

Swimmers at Pier 126, Delaware River July 15, 1918

Swimmers at Pier 126, Delaware River, July 15, 1918

Photo of Allegheny Avenue Sewer, Pier 126, Delaware River, July 15, 1918

Allegheny Avenue Sewer at Pier 126, 1918

Devereaux Street Sewer on the cover of Philadelphia magazine, 1911

Devereaux Street Sewer, Philadelphia magazine, 1911

Man standing in front of Bingham Street Sewer, 1921

Bingham Street Sewer, East of Tacony Creek, 1921

A list of rules governing the sanitary maintenance of privy vaults in Philadelphia in 1915

Privy Regulations

Black-and-white photo of privies, waterless wells used to collect human waste

Privies, Emerald Street, 1919

Two bottles of water from a river, one dark with pollution and one clear after filtration

Water Before and After Roxborough

1902 photo of Upper Roxborough Filter beds under construction

Upper Roxborough Filter Bed Construction, 1902