PWD: A Model of Sustainable Business

Sean O’Connell
Philadelphia Water Department:
A Model of Green Business
July 1, 2009

Philadelphia is attempting to make it-self the “Green” city of America or at least making our region known for sustainable decision making. Many organizations have begun investing in sustainable business practices, but the business plan for a truly sustainable and profitable enterprise still isn’t clear. A model of a sustainable, environmentally and profitably, business is right here is Philadelphia. Most semi-public utility companies are known for unprofitability, but the Philadelphia Water Department is a leader in the nation in reducing its environmental impact on society, while keeping a profitable business.
The Philadelphia Water Department has been known for centuries for its innovation. The first city in America to provide drinking water to residents, the PWD has been the focus of international attention many times, for innovation in hydro power and water distribution techniques.
Originally water was brought from the Schuylkill River, processed and pumped farther into the city. Fairmount Park was created to protect the city’s water supply by preventing development of the area around the river. The park became a destination as a natural attraction in a large city and as a model of water processing abilities.
Over time even the protection of Fairmount Park couldn’t stop pollution from taking a hold on the river. Since the rivers around Philadelphia flow first through many other cities farther instate, water arriving at Philadelphia was already contaminated. This lead to the eventual closing of the first water treatment facility, the Fairmount Water works, in the early 20th century.
To replace it, new techniques of water processing were put in place on the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. In 1972 the Federal Government enacted the Clean Water Act, which set standards for water cleanliness both as it comes out of the faucet and as it is returned into the river.
Since the Philadelphia Water Department has invested over 1billion dollars into its water processing system, making it an international award winning company again. PWD has the unique ability to watch its product from the beginning to end and make sure it has as little of an impact on Mother Earth as possible. Dirt taken in the cleaning process is reused as natural fertilizer and water being put back into rivers exceeds all national standards.
Even though it takes the extra effort to reduce its impact on the Earth, PWD has remained very profitable business. This allows it to grow, invest, and serve its customers even better.
PWD is a local company that can teach our region a great deal about being responsible to nature and to society. While it is a unique business it still offers evidence that profitability and sustainability can be complimentary goals.