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Josephs congratulates Phila. Water Dept. for environmental stewardship

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 1 -- State Rep. Babette Josephs, D-Phila., participated in a news conference Thursday applauding the Philadelphia Water Department for its efforts in environmental protection.

Josephs joined members of the Sierra Club, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, Penn Environment and the Philadelphia Water Department at the waterworks on the banks of the Schuylkill River to discuss Philadelphia Green, a program initiated by the city and PHS to clean up vacant lots, green the city and improve stormwater management.

The Sierra Club's most recent report, Building Better II: A Guide to America's Best New Development Projects, profiles 10 innovative stormwater projects across the nation, commending them for contributing to healthier, more livable communities.

"As the leading environmentalist in the General Assembly, I take great pleasure in congratulating the Philadelphia Water Department on achieving one of the three best plans in the nation for dealing with storm water and sewer run off," Josephs said.

"According to the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and the Sierra Club, PWD not only understands that these contaminated waters are dangerous, but also that water is a valuable resource. I want to put this important development in the context of the recent state government initiatives to freeze mercury emissions from coal fire plants and strengthen the Pennsylvania Clean Vehicles Program.

"Now that Democrats are in charge of the state House, I look forward to great strides in protecting our environment, enhancing the quality of our surroundings, aiding the tourist industry, helping agriculture, our biggest industry, and for fulfilling the vision of all Pennsylvanians who are among the nation's most ardent environmentalists."

Last year, Philadelphia Green started work on a project with seven schools to address stormwater runoff while promoting environmental education. At one school, S. Weir Mitchell Elementary School, students created a raised bed vegetable garden in a paved parking lot, which will help to reduce the "heat island effect" and absorb storm water rather than contributing to runoff.

Josephs said the Philadelphia Water Department has developed stormwater regulations that encourage watershed restoration and promote the control of storm water at the source.