Meet Fast Forward Presenter >> Zach Popkin

What is your Big Idea for Philadelphia?

Rain Check – How you can manage stormwater at your Philadelphia home

Philadelphia, along with most other older cities, is serviced by an antiquated and undersized sewer system. Philadelphia’s sewers, particularly combined sewer systems, contribute to the degradation of our waterways when they are overburdened during rainstorms, and untreated wastewater is released into our rivers.  Philadelphia Water’s long-term plan for managing stormwater in our city is called Green City, Clean Waters.  PHS has partnered with Philadelphia Water to manage the residential component of GCCW – a program called Rain Check. Through Rain Check, Philadelphia residents can take advantage of several stormwater management tools that can have a positive impact on our waterways.

Rain Check offers free rain barrels, downspout planter boxes for only $100, and up to $2000 towards depaving, permeable pavers, or a rain garden.  The goals of Rain Check are to manage stormwater, engage and educate Philadelphia citizens about stormwater management, and to build beauty in our city.

www.phsonline.org

zpopkin(at)pennhort.org

Zach Popkin has been managing the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society's Rain Check program since its inception in 2012. Conceived by Philadelphia Water, Rain Check offers Philadelphia residents stormwater management tools for their homes for free or at reduced costs. Rain barrels are distributed for free, downspout planters are only $100, and funding of up to $2000 is available towards a rain garden, depaving, or permeable paver project. Learn more at www.phillwatersheds.org/raincheck.