Public Outreach

TPEC’s Public Engagement Team continues to support the PWD to meet stormwater regulatory compliance through program management, risk governance, implementation tracking and environmental planning.

TPEC’s Public Engagement Team turns PWD’s customer research into practical tools that strengthen daily outreach and communications. Through targeted data analysis and reporting, TPEC supports equitable outreach, improves program efficiency, and informs initiatives such as Lead Service Line Replacement, the Philly Water Bar, and the Annual Water Quality Report. By expanding both internal and external data-sharing efforts TPEC strengthens collaboration, learning, and research across PWD, turning research into action, building a strong community of practice.

Dan Schupsky PWD points to overflowing combined sewer on Cobbs Creek

TPEC also aids the PWD’s Public Affairs Division. In 2019, TPEC staff on the Public Engagement Team led over 100 community meetings, engaged thousands of Philadelphia residents, and led the public notification process in order to build support for green infrastructure projects in Philadelphia. Additionally, TPEC staff led programs to promote tap water in the City, as well as supported PWD’s efforts to engage in customer research, community grants, events, public art, and data analysis.

During 2020, TPEC’s Outreach group was able to engage in virtual meetings.

Green City, Clean Waters

Several TPEC members work on-site at the PWD Office of Watersheds and Public Affairs Unit, helping to develop the “Green City, Clean Waters” plan for implementation, among a variety of other water resources-related initiatives.

Our staff is experiences in integrated watershed management, green stormwater infrastructure planning, hydraulic and hydrologic modeling, communications, planning, policy making, community outreach, coordination, and partnership development.

Public Art Options Test - Public Outreach | TPEC

Tiffany Ledesma is on site at Ralph Brooks Park (Philadelphia) testing public art options that highlight green stormwater infrastructure. The results will inform a notification tool kit which will be employed by Philadelphia Water at its green stormwater infrastructure sites. The City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program is also a partner on this project.

TPEC has been conducting public engagement and outreach around Philadelphia Water’s Rain Check program. Rain Check helps residents in Philadelphia pay for green stormwater infrastructure at their homes to manage stormwater and beautify their properties.

Green Stormwater Infrastructure Tour - Public Outreach | TPEC

Abby Sullivan leads a green stormwater infrastructure tour at the Big Green Block in the Fishtown/Kensington section of Philadelphia.

Green City, Clean Waters Program Review - Public Outreach | TPEC

Maggie Allio Rwakazina, Paula Conolly, and Helaine Barr collaborate to review existing processes of Philadelphia Water’s “Green City, Clean Waters” program. Based on this analysis, they will provide recommended policy solutions, risk mitigation strategies, and innovative process efficiencies for the implementation of the long-term green stormwater infrastructure program.