Philadelphia Sewage Overflows Dump 12.7 Billion Gallons Annually

A recent report by the PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center reveals that Philadelphia’s combined sewer overflows (CSOs) discharge an average of 12.7 billion gallons of raw sewage mixed with stormwater annually into local waterways, including the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers and several creeks. These overflows occur on about 65 days per year on average, rendering affected waters unsafe for recreational activities such as boating and fishing, with some areas experiencing more frequent pollution. Despite ongoing investments and initiatives like the city’s 'Green City, Clean Waters' program, the problem persists, with officials acknowledging it could take decades to fully remediate the waterways. Camden County, across the Delaware River, faces similar issues with 76 overflow days annually. Advocates emphasize the health risks, citing that swimming or fishing in polluted waters leads to millions of illnesses nationwide each year, and call for more urgent and comprehensive infrastructure upgrades, pointing to cities like Portland, Oregon, as models. An interactive map from the report highlights the worst pollution sites, urging local and federal leaders to intensify efforts to protect these vital waterways for residents and wildlife.