Philadelphia Retention Basins Manage Commercial Storm Water Runoff

June 29, 2018
The two new basins will capture an estimated 60 million gal a year of storm water runoff from surrounding commercial properties

Philadelphia completed two new storm water basins in Northeast Philadelphia that will capture an estimated 60 million gal a year of storm water runoff from 20 commercial properties. Participating commercial businesses will receive a reduction in their storm water utility fee.

The 40-acre site now hosts two storm water retention basins that aim to reduce storm water runoff and combined sewer overflows in the Pennypack watershed. Funded with a $1.6 million storm water grant from the Philadelphia Water Department, the project is one of the largest of its kind in the city. The basins are designed to handle a 1-in. Rain event and provide detention of water for up to 100-year storms, according to local news source WHYY.

“By holding back a 1-in. Or 1.5-in. Rain storm, it prevents that overwhelming of the system and less likelihood for these valves to be open, causing contamination and pollution to the environment,” said Ken Curry, COO of Infrastructure Solution Services, the contractor behind the project.

The project took 18 months to complete and required moving more than 60,000 cu yards of soil, according to officials. The basins use shredded tires in mesh crates as an alternative to stone aggregate.