Fairmount Water Works

01/06/2023

Halo says, "Scoop the p**p, Philly!" Did you know that dogs in Philly create almost 100 million lbs of waste each year? 😲

Be a good watershed steward & pick up after your dog.

No worries - the p**p shown here is a prop. 😊

**p

01/05/2023

Today's !

You can celebrate by…

🐦 Going bird watching
🦅 Adding birdhouses or feeders to backyards and gardens
🐤 Donating to a bird sanctuary
🦉 Leave some nuts or seeds out for birds in your area

How are you honoring our avian allies this year?

📸 Wading birds like the Great Blue Heron, which can be spotted along the Schuylkill River, collect toxins in their bodies when they eat contaminated fish. Scientists observe changes int he way the birds grown and reproduce. The birds serve as an early warning that pollution is causing trouble somewhere in the watershed.

01/04/2023

Here's your reminder to drink up! 💧

According to researchers, more than half of us aren't drinking enough water.

https://www.yahoo.com/now/study-drinking-lot-water-reduce-123700326.html

12/29/2022

Dear friends,

Every year comes with its challenges and accomplishments and 2022 brought us both. Thank you for staying with us through it all and for reaching out in so many thoughtful ways with your support.

Whatever the new year brings, we look forward to making it even better…together.

Cheers to a wonderful 2023!

12/26/2022

Did you vote yet??

Help our friends at Schuylkill River Greenways NHA spotlight the to help improve the health of the river and the public’s perception of the river as a vital resource for communities from beginning to end: www.pawatersheds.org!

12/23/2022

As 2022 comes to a close, the staff at Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center is extremely grateful to our partners and friends for helping us to make another challenging year successful.

Because of your support, we have:

…continued our ground-breaking work in STEAM – inside our historic site, in classrooms, and in the field;
…engaged over 6,000 new visitors through “POOL: A Social History of Segregation”; and
…received several prestigious awards.

2023 promises to be a banner year as the Interpretive Center celebrates its 20th anniversary.

Look out for ways you can become involved throughout the new year as we celebrate this milestone.

Best wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season.

12/22/2022

Don't mind us...just another day at the Water Works!

Because the NOAA (National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration) predicts tide levels as high as 7 feet tomorrow along the Schuylkill River, our team has been taking preventative measures today, moving education materials, office equipment, furniture, and electronics to higher ground.

Did you know that just two inches of rain is equivalent to two feet of snow?

We make it our duty to keep an eye on the weather because we know that heavy rains pose potential flooding to our rivers.

Stay safe, everyone!

12/22/2022

Cold Weather Tips

from Philadelphia Water Dept.
• • • • • •
🥶 Don't wait for those bomb cyclone temps to drop - take steps like disconnecting outdoor plumbing now to prevent frozen pipes!

Check out the Cold Weather page for more easy ways to protect your stuff from extreme cold and burst pipes or go here ➡ phillyh2o.info/cold

12/21/2022

The Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center will be closing early this Friday, in observance of the Christmas holiday, and so that our hard-working staff can spend time with family and friends.

We look forward to seeing you when we reopen on Tuesday, December 27 at 11am.

Happy holidays! 🎁

12/21/2022

from Philadelphia Water Department

Going away for the holidays? With a cold snap coming this weekend, remember not to turn your heat all the way down - your water meter and plumbing should be at least 40F to avoid freezing/burst pipes.

12/19/2022

"The large format allows a map of the 108-mile-long navigation to flow, in color, across the inside front covers to the inside back covers. It might be the best map of the system I have seen."

Check out this lovely review of "Inland: The Abandoned Canals of the Schuylkill Navigation", of which FWW educator, Sandy Sorlien, is the photographer and writer, https://americancanalsociety.org/inland-book-review

12/15/2022

📷 Students from Lankenau High School in Philadelphia enjoying hands-on learning science outside!

We offer a number of themed lessons. Each lesson runs about two hours in length, including a hands-on component, and most can be adapted to any age.

Book your school trip at www.fairmountwaterworks.org!

12/14/2022

Pouring grease down the drain can create a menace to your plumbing and city sewers

Some helpful holiday season reminders from KYW Newsradio!

https://www.audacy.com/kywnewsradio/news/local/holiday-cooking-plumbing-tips-how-to-dispose-of-grease-oil?fbclid=IwAR3fZvnm1gfXtHTgWSqIOjiHxntxiLnlab9r5xbDISfZAL8vdR_xetUItsM

If you’re like many home cooks, you’ll be using a lot more fat over the holidays, and that can lead to plumbing problems if you don’t dispose of it correctly. Follow these tips to avoid a messy and costly situation.

12/12/2022

Did you know that the Schuylkill River has been nominated for 2023 River of the Year?

Voting is open through January 18: pawatersheds.org/2023-river-of-the-year-nominees/

12/12/2022

from Philadelphia Water Department

⚠️🥶Cold weather often means more water main breaks in winter. If you see a leak in the street, report it as an emergency right away by calling (215) 685-6300. Our crews will respond as soon as possible. What to expect if a water main breaks
➡️ https://water.phila.gov/drinking-water/main-breaks/

⚠️🥶Cold weather often means more water main breaks in winter. If you see a leak in the street, report it as an emergency right away by calling (215) 685-6300. Our crews will respond as soon as possible. What to expect if a water main breaks
➡️ https://water.phila.gov/drinking-water/main-breaks/

12/08/2022

🏆 FWW is proud to be the inaugural recipient of the Mid-Atlantic Association of Museum's Making an Impact Award, which honors museums and institutions for developing a program, exhibition, or special project that displays responsiveness and resourcefulness, and have resulted in creative change for their organizations and a positive impact on their communities.

🏆 The Interpretive Center was also recognized as an environmental leader, with the Pennsylvania Environmental Council Special Places Award!

Since opening becoming an environmental center in 2003, we have strived to educate the public on the importance of water resource protection!

12/07/2022

Celebrating Equity, Resiliency, Sustainability, and a Legacy of Environmental Rights - PECPA

So proud that FWW & POOL were recognized by the Pennsylvania Environmental Council!



On November 17th, PEC hosted the 52nd Environmental Partnership Awards Dinner at the Crystal Tea Room in Philadelphia. The evening was a celebration of environmental leadership and collaboration, and the awards recognized a wide range of projects and people doing innovative environmental work in the Philadelphia region. Learn about the awardees here:

On November 17th, PEC hosted the 52nd Environmental Partnership Awards Dinner at the Crystal Tea Room in Philadelphia. The evening was a celebration of environmental leadership and collaboration, and the awards recognized a wide range of projects and people doing innovative environmental work in the...

12/03/2022

will convene & leaders from across the U.S. to discuss environmental impact, health, wellbeing, environmental literacy and school district sustainability. Register today: More at www.greenschoolsconference.org

12/01/2022

Timeline photos

11/29/2022

A gift to the Fairmount Water Works sustains vital educational and public programming that's fostering a new generation of stewards for our rivers. Help them continue to innovate and educate so we can preserve our most precious natural resource this ! https://fairmountwaterworks.org/connect/support/

11/28/2022

We're proud to support . Learn, collaborate, celebrate! Join us in New Orleans for 2/27-3/1

More at www.greenschoolsconference.org

11/25/2022

If you live in portions of NY, NJ, DE, and PA, your drinking water comes from the Basin. We’ll raise a glass to the river!

11/23/2022

As the year begins to wind down, we wanted to take a moment to say, "thank you".

Since opening our doors as an environmental center in 2003, the Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center has relied on the support of neighbors, board members, donors, school communities, and partner organizations as we educate the next generation of stewards ready to advocate on behalf of our rivers.

Sincerely,
FWWIC Staff

**Please note our hours for the remainder of the week**

Wednesday, November 23 (10am - 2pm)
Thursday, November 24 (CLOSED FOR THANKSGIVING)
Friday, November 25 (10am - 2pm)
Saturday, November 26 (10am - 5pm)

11/18/2022

from Bartram's Garden

🌊River Connection Workshop: Saturday, November 19, 2-4pm🌊

We've partnered with Oshun Swim School this fall to offer free workshops related to swimming and water, for Southwest Philadelphia residents (If you are not a Southwest neighbor, please allow for this space to be used for those who are).

This workshop, led by Chandrika Francis, is an invitation to know water more intimately and to find a deeper sense of connection and peace near the Schuylkill River. We will focus on developing our relationship with water through mindfulness, meditation, and self-inquiry. Through an Afro-Diasporic cultural lens and by centering community building, we will explore what it means to belong to our river and to our communities. Come join us for rest, play, and grounding by the river!

More at: www.bartramsgarden.org

[ID: An illustration of the dark silhouette of a person sitting cross-legged under a tree, looking at a bright star in the sky. The sky and ground were painted with watercolor strokes in various shades of deep blue]

11/17/2022

One of America’s largest trail networks has trails connecting NJ, PA, and DE! The Circuit Trails will eventually span over 800 miles once it is completed, but hundreds of miles are ready for you now to explore! Get for 🌳🥾

11/16/2022

Family Day: Clean Water at Science History Institute this Saturday at 11 am!

More info➡️ https://sciencehistory.org/event/family-day-111922

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11/11/2022

Good morning!

The Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center is closed today in observance of Veterans Day. We'll reopen tomorrow morning at 10am.

11/10/2022

from Fairmount Park Conservancy

Love Your Park Fall Service Day is almost here! 💛 Over 75 Philly parks are looking for volunteers this Saturday, 11/12 to help prepare for the winter season. ➡️ View the full list and sign up at loveyourpark.org

11/07/2022

Since our opening, tens of thousands of teachers and students have visited and participated in our unique programs created to meld the science, technology, engineering, art & architecture and math (STEAM) behind providing drinking water, protecting our source water and within a regional urban watershed.

We offer a number of hands-on lessons, and most can be adapted to any age. Request a program for your school group at www.fairmountwaterworks.org.

11/03/2022

Philly high school students make 3-D printed water filters to help Mississippi town

Congrats to students from Imhotep Charter School on such an amazing initiative!

A group of Philly teens hand-delivered 3-D printed water filters to Jackson, Mississippi, where they were used to test contaminated water.

11/03/2022

There are several ways you can be a watershed steward this fall!

from the Philadelphia Water Department

Make small fixes around your home now before winter!

🍂 Clean leaves and debris from gutters and make sure your downspout drains to the sewer or grassy part of your yard away from the house to avoid groundwater flooding in your basement.

✔️To request a cleaning for a storm drain, call 311 or visit phila.gov/311.
✔️To report a clogged storm drain or flooded street, call (215) 685-6300.
✔️For more fall fixes: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/PAPHILAWATER/bulletins/335806e?

11/02/2022

There are still some spaces left for tonight's free virtual history talk exploring the history of Philly's rivers and infrastructure leading up to the Clean Water Act, which just marked 50 years since its passage! Philly water historian Adam Levine will share his wealth of knowledge and we'll take a few questions, but we promise we won't keep you from the Phillies game!
RSVP ➡️

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/clean-water-act-50-history-talk-with-phila-water-historian-adam-levine-tickets-441067784617

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11/01/2022

On 11/10, take a virtual behind-the-scenes tour at the City’s Southeast Water Pollution Control Plant! Follow polluted wastewater step-by-step through the treatment process until the cleaned wastewater is cleaner than the Delaware River itself & can be discharged safely to it: www.eventbrite.com/e/clean-water-act-50-virtually-tour-the-plants-that-saved-our-rivers-tickets-441193510667

10/27/2022

We're still in awe of the impact of had on visitors far and wide!

The exhibit is closed for the season, but you can still experience it online at www.poolphl.com

10/26/2022

Thanks largely to investments and regulations stemming from the Clean Water Act of 1972, the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers are now cleaner than they have been at any time in the past century.

Philadelphia Water Department Historian Adam Levine will look at how a rising tide of pollution in the 19th & early 20th centuries affected the well-being of the city’s residents and the region’s overall ecological health, and how that tide has since abated.

Levine will illustrate how tighter controls on industrial and sewage discharges in Philadelphia and in upstream communities have led to significant improvements in both the quality of the river water and the livability of the riverfronts.

Register for this free talk, taking place on November 2: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/clean-water-act-50-virtually-tour-the-plants-that-saved-our-rivers-tickets-441193510667

10/24/2022

Before the Clean Water Act was passed in 1972, Philadelphia’s waterways were polluted with sewage, trash, oil, and toxic industrial waste. We’ve made a lot of progress in the last 50 years. What happens the next 50 years is in our hands. Learn more from PWD historian Adam Levine➡️ https://vimeo.com/753961864

10/23/2022

October marks the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act. This monumental legislation revived polluted waterways across the United States – especially here in Philadelphia. Follow along as Philadelphia Water Department and FWW honor this milestone with history, events, and ways you can support the ongoing work of protecting and restoring our local creeks and rivers! ➡️ https://water.phila.gov/drops/cwa50/

10/22/2022

We're excited to continue educating visitors about our watershed through the arts! STEAM powers our programs!

Come and see the exhibition for "Inland: The Abandoned Canals of the Schuylkill Navigation", a book by Sandy Sorlien and other contributors.

Prints and maps from the book will be on display in our Media Gallery through January 8, 2023 during our normal operating hours.

10/20/2022

Help keep household hazardous waste out of our rivers and streams by scheduling a drop-off appointment at one of the City’s upcoming collection events on October 22 and November 5 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.! Learn more➡️ https://www.phila.gov/services/trash-recycling-city-upkeep/dispose-of-household-hazardous-waste/

10/20/2022

from Philadelphia Water Department

Today, as members of The Value of Water coalition, we are highlighting today. In Philadelphia, we're working hard to help people who cannot afford water bills avoid shutoff and investing billions in infrastructure to ensure reliable, clean water for all. Read about our recent efforts to reduce shutoffs

https://www.phila.gov/2022-05-31-city-unveils-new-water-shutoff-protections/?fbclid=IwAR2o5ujhqZWGGbcOuRCGhF4Pd7ooeuTI0RczjYXry_HaGUeJFzF55XyhlIs

As members of The Value of Water coalition, we are highlighting today. In Philadelphia, we're working hard to help people who cannot afford water bills avoid shutoff and investing billions in infrastructure to ensure reliable, clean water for all. Read about our recent efforts to reduce shutoffs
➡ https://www.phila.gov/2022-05-31-city-unveils-new-water-shutoff-protections/