- Introduction
- Ch. 1 Stormwater Management Requirements
- Ch. 2 Submission, Review, and Approval Procedures
- Ch. 3 Site Design and Stormwater Management Integration
- Ch. 4 Stormwater Management Practice Guidance
- Ch. 5 Construction Guidance
- Ch. 6 Post-Construction and Operations and Maintenance Guidance
- Appendices
- Download
- Back to Chapters
- Manual Organization and Purpose
- Stormwater Regulations
- Private Development Services
- Stormwater Billing and Incentives
- Stormwater Management in Philadelphia
- Applicability and Submission Process
- Preferred Design Approach
- Back to Chapters
- 1.0 Introduction
- 1.1 Applicability Factors
- 1.2 Stormwater Regulations
- 1.3 Stormwater Retrofits
- Back to Chapter 1
- 1.2.1 Post-Construction Stormwater Management Requirements
- 1.2.2 Erosion and Sediment Control Requirement
- Back to Chapter 1
- 1.3.1 Retrofit Project Applicability and Initiation
- 1.3.2 Retrofit Project Requirements and Guidance
- Back to Chapters
- 2.0 Introduction
- 2.1 Existing Resources and Site Analysis
- 2.2 Review Paths
- 2.3 Review Phases
- 2.4 Expedited Post-Construction Stormwater Management Plan Reviews
- 2.5 PWD’s Development Review Process
- 2.6 PWD’s Role in Philadelphia's Development Process
- 2.7 PWD and Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
- Back to Chapter 2
- 2.2.1 Development Compliance Review Path
- 2.2.2 Development Exemption Review Path
- 2.2.3 Demolition Review Path
- 2.2.4 Stormwater Retrofit Review Path
- Back to Chapter 2
- 2.3.1 Development Compliance Review Path
- 2.3.2 Development Exemption Review Path
- 2.3.3 Demolition Review Path
- 2.3.4 Stormwater Retrofit Review Path
- Back to Chapter 2
- 2.4.1 Disconnection Green Review
- 2.4.2 Surface Green Review
- 2.4.3 Expedited PCSMP Review Process
- Back to Chapter 2
- 2.7.1 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permits
- 2.7.2 Other PA DEP Requirements
- Back to Chapters
- 3.0 Introduction
- 3.1 Site Assessment and Stormwater Management Strategies
- 3.2 Stormwater Management Design
- 3.3 Infiltration Testing and Soil Assessment for SMP Design
- 3.4 How To Show Compliance
- 3.5 Integrated Stormwater Management Examples
- Back to Chapter 3
- 3.0.1 How to Use This Chapter
- 3.0.2 Integrated Site and Stormwater Management Assessment and Design Process Overview
- 3.0.3 Interactions between Design Strategies, Stormwater Regulations, and Review Paths
- Back to Chapter 3
- 3.1.1 Background Site Factors and Site Factors Inventory
- 3.1.2 Site Factors Analysis
- 3.1.3 Integrated Design Approach
- 3.1.4 Non-Structural Design
- 3.1.5 Disconnected Impervious Cover
- 3.1.6 SMP Functions
- 3.1.7 Pollutant- Reducing Practices and Roof Runoff Isolation
- 3.1.8 How to Use SMPs to Comply with the Regulations
- Back to Chapter 3
- 3.2.1 Major SMP Types
- 3.2.2 SMP Hierarchy and Selection Process
- 3.2.3 Placing SMPs in Series
- 3.2.4 Stormwater Management Banking and Trading
- 3.2.5 SMP Design Guidance and General Requirements
- 3.2.6 Loading Ratio Requirements
- 3.2.7 Planting and Vegetation Guidance
- 3.2.8 Operations and Maintenance
- Back to Chapter 3
- 3.3.1 Infiltration Testing and Soil Characterization Plan Development
- 3.3.2 Soil Characterization Requirements
- 3.3.3 Infiltration Testing Requirements
- 3.3.4 Soil Characterization Procedures
- 3.3.5 Infiltration Testing Procedures
- 3.3.6 Evaluation of Infiltration Testing Results
- Back to Chapter 3
- 3.4.1 Regulatory Compliance Documentation Requirements
- 3.4.2 Storm Sewer Design Requirements
- 3.4.3 Calculation Methods and Design Tools
- Back to Chapter 3
- 3.5.1 Commercial Office Building Development
- 3.5.2 Residential Multi-Family Development
- 3.5.3 Full Build-Out
- 3.5.4 Trails
- 3.5.5 Athletic Fields
- 3.5.6 Streets
- Back to Chapters
- 4.0 Introduction
- 4.1 Bioinfiltration/ Bioretention
- 4.2 Porous Pavement
- 4.3 Green Roofs
- 4.4 Subsurface Infiltration
- 4.5 Cisterns
- 4.6 Blue Roofs
- 4.7 Ponds and Wet Basins
- 4.8 Subsurface Detention
- 4.9 Media Filters
- 4.10 Pretreatment
- 4.11 Inlet Controls
- 4.12 Outlet Controls
- Back to Chapter 4
- 4.1.1 Bioinfiltration/ Bioretention Introduction
- 4.1.2 Bioinfiltration/ Bioretention Components
- 4.1.3 Bioinfiltration/ Bioretention Design Standards
- 4.1.4 Bioinfiltration/ Bioretention Material Standards
- 4.1.5 Bioinfiltration/ Bioretention Construction Guidance
- 4.1.6 Bioinfiltration/ Bioretention Maintenance Guidance
- Back to Chapter 4
- 4.2.1 Porous Pavement Introduction
- 4.2.2 Porous Pavement Components
- 4.2.3 Porous Pavement Design Standards
- 4.2.4 Porous Pavement Material Standards
- 4.2.5 Porous Pavement Construction Guidance
- 4.2.6 Porous Pavement Maintenance Guidance
- Back to Chapter 4
- 4.3.1 Green Roof Introduction
- 4.3.2 Green Roof Components
- 4.3.3 Green Roof Design Standards
- 4.3.4 Green Roof Material Standards
- 4.3.5 Green Roof Construction Guidance
- 4.3.6 Green Roof Maintenance Guidance
- Back to Chapter 4
- 4.4.1 Subsurface Infiltration Introduction
- 4.4.2 Subsurface Infiltration Components
- 4.4.3 Subsurface Infiltration Design Standards
- 4.4.4 Subsurface Infiltration Material Standards
- 4.4.5 Subsurface Infiltration Construction Guidance
- 4.4.6 Subsurface Infiltration Maintenance Guidance
- Back to Chapter 4
- 4.5.1 Cistern Introduction
- 4.5.2 Cistern Components
- 4.5.3 Cistern Design Standards
- 4.5.4 Cistern Material Standards
- 4.5.5 Cistern Construction Guidance
- 4.5.6 Cistern Maintenance Guidance
- Back to Chapter 4
- 4.6.1 Blue Roof Introduction
- 4.6.2 Blue Roof Components
- 4.6.3 Blue Roof Design Standards
- 4.6.4 Blue Roof Material Standards
- 4.6.5 Blue Roof Construction Guidance
- 4.6.6 Blue Roof Maintenance Guidance
- Back to Chapter 4
- 4.7.1 Pond and Wet Basin Introduction
- 4.7.2 Pond and Wet Basin Components
- 4.7.3 Pond and Wet Basin Design Standards
- 4.7.4 Pond and Wet Basin Material Standards
- 4.7.5 Pond and Wet Basin Construction Guidance
- 4.7.6 Pond and Wet Basin Maintenance Guidance
- Back to Chapter 4
- 4.8.1 Subsurface Detention Introduction
- 4.8.2 Subsurface Detention Components
- 4.8.3 Subsurface Detention Design Standards
- 4.8.4 Subsurface Detention Material Standards
- 4.8.5 Subsurface Detention Construction Guidance
- 4.8.6 Subsurface Detention Maintenance Guidance
- Back to Chapter 4
- 4.9.1 Media Filter Introduction
- 4.9.2 Media Filter Components
- 4.9.3 Media Filter Design Standards
- 4.9.4 Media Filter Material Standards
- 4.9.5 Media Filter Construction Guidance
- 4.9.6 Media Filter Maintenance Guidance
- Back to Chapter 4
- 4.10.1 Pretreatment Introduction
- 4.10.2 Filter Strips
- 4.10.3 Forebays
- 4.10.4 Swales
- Back to Chapter 4
- 4.11.1 Inlet Control Introduction
- 4.11.2 Flow Splitters
- 4.11.3 Curbless Design/Curb Openings
- 4.11.4 Energy Dissipaters
- 4.11.5 Inlets
- Back to Chapter 4
- 4.12.1 Outlet Control Introduction
- 4.12.2 Orifices
- 4.12.3 Weirs
- 4.12.4 Risers
- 4.12.5 Underdrains
- 4.12.6 Level Spreaders
- 4.12.7 Impervious Liners
- 4.12.8 Micro Siphon Drain Belts
- 4.12.9 Low Flow Devices
- Back to Chapters
- 5.0 Introduction
- 5.1 Construction Inspection
- 5.2 Common Construction Issues
- 5.3 Construction Documentation
- Back to Chapter 5
- 5.1.1 Coordinating Inspections with Other PWD Units
- 5.1.2 Preconstruction Processes
- 5.1.3 Construction Processes
- 5.1.4 Final Inspection
- 5.1.5 Post-Construction Submissions
- Back to Chapter 5
- 5.2.1 Erosion and Sediment-Related Construction Issues
- 5.2.2 Stormwater Management Practice-Related Construction Issues
- Back to Chapters
- 6.0 Introduction
- 6.1 Operations and Maintenance
- 6.2 Stormwater Management Practice Inspection Guidance
- 6.3 Stormwater Credits Program
- Back to Chapter 6
- 6.1.1 Maintenance Requirements for Property Owners
- 6.1.2 Operations and Maintenance Agreements
- Back to Chapters
- Appendix Index
- A. Glossary
- B. Abbreviations
- C. PWD Stormwater Regulations
- D. Watershed Maps
- E. Plan and Report Checklists
- F. Design Guidance Checklists
- G. SMP Maintenance Guide Documents
- H. Infiltration Testing Log
- I. Landscape Guidance
- J. Construction Certification Package
- K. Record Drawing Sample
- L. Standard Details
- Back to Appendices
- Table E-1: General Plan Sheet Requirements
- Table E-2: Existing Conditions Plan Requirements
- Table E-3: Conceptual Stormwater Management Plan Requirements
- Table E-4: Erosion and Sediment Control Plan Requirements
- Table E-5: Standard Erosion and Sediment Control Notes
- Table E-6: Standard Sequence of Construction Notes
- Table E-7: Post-Construction Stormwater Management Plan Report Requirements
- Table E-8: Record Drawing Requirements
- Back to Appendices
- F.1 Stormwater Regulation Compliance
- F.2 Post-Construction Stormwater Management Plan
- F.3 Erosion and Sediment Control
- F.4 Disconnected Impervious Cover
- F.5 Infiltration Testing and Soil Assessment
- F.6 Hydrologic Model and Calculation Methods
- F.7 Bioinfiltration/ Bioretention
- F.8 Porous Pavement
- F.9 Green Roofs
- F.10 Subsurface Infiltration
- F.11 Cisterns
- F.12 Blue Roofs
- F.13 Ponds and Wet Basins
- F.14 Subsurface Detention
- F.15 Media Filters
- F.16 Pretreatment
- F.17 Inlet Controls
- F.18 Outlet Controls
5.3 Construction Documentation
It is important, both for the property owner and for the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD), to ensure that all stormwater management practices (SMPs) are constructed in strict accordance with the Approved Post-Construction Stormwater Management Plan (PCSMP). Even small variations in the characteristics of an SMP (e.g., footprint area, elevations, layer thicknesses, pipe sizing) can have significant effects on the SMP’s ability to perform its designed stormwater management function. To verify that SMPs have been properly installed, a Construction Certification Package and Record Drawing(s) for all PCSMP components must be prepared and submitted to PWD at the conclusion of construction activities. The contractor must maintain copies of all books, records, and documents pertaining to PCSMP construction for a period of five years following completion of the contract.
5.3.1 Construction Certification Package
As previously discussed, the contractor must install all on-site SMPs, conveyance piping, structures, and any other feature associated with the stormwater management design in strict accordance with the Approved PCSMP. The Construction Certification Package provides PWD with documentation that SMPs have been properly installed. Stormwater Retrofits have different requirements for Construction Certification Packages. The applicant is referred to Section 2.3.4 for Stormwater Retrofit submission guidance.
Prior to Construction
SMP Construction Certification Forms are part of the Construction Certification Package. Prior to construction, an SMP Construction Certification Form must be prepared by the design engineer for each on-site SMP and provided to PWD for review as part of the PCSMP Review Phase (Section 2.3.1). A blank Construction Certification Package template, which houses the SMP Construction Certification Forms and instructions, can be found in Appendix J. Each Form must indicate the measurements that are most critical to the listed SMP’s ability to perform its designed function (e.g., elevations, outlet control sizes, surface areas, layer depths, etc.). It is recommended that the SMP Construction Certification Form(s) be included in the construction bid documents for the project to ensure that the selected contractor is aware of the requirement that the Forms be completed during construction. The project’s sequence of construction must identify all stages of SMP construction for which a registered professional must document the specific elevations and measurements found on the SMP Construction Certification Form(s). The applicant is referred to Section 5.3.2 for clarification on PWD Stormwater Plan Review’s definition of a “registered professional.” If a project field change necessitates a revision to any information on the submitted SMP Construction Certification Forms, they must be updated accordingly and submitted along with the PCSMP Field Change submission.
During Construction
During the preconstruction meeting, the PWD Inspector will provide copies of the Construction Certification Package, as prepared and customized by the engineer and found acceptable by PWD during the PCSMP Review Phase. In order to demonstrate that all SMPs are properly installed, a registered professional must complete the SMP Construction Certification Forms contained within the Construction Certification Package. Each measurement documented on the Forms must be dated and initialed by the registered professional who took, or whose designee took, the measurement. Once all of the required measurements have been appropriately documented, the registered professional must execute and date the Form. The contractor should not cover, backfill, or seal any SMP until the information required for the Record Drawing(s) and the Construction Certification Package has been acquired.
All elevations identified on the Forms must be documented as they are measured. These Forms must be on-site and available for PWD inspection at all times. Upon completion of construction, SMP Construction Certification Forms must be submitted to PWD as part of the Construction Certification Package, and the measurements documented on these Forms must be reflected on the Record Drawing(s), which are discussed in the next Section.
The Construction Certification Package provided to PWD must include electronic copies of receipts for materials that pertain to SMPs. The material receipts must clearly specify the types, qualities, and quantities of the materials purchased. The materials for which receipts are required may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Stone,
- Geotextile fabric,
- Perforated pipes,
- Subsurface storage units,
- Bioinfiltration/bioretention media,
- Filter media,
- Porous pavement,
- Impervious liners,
- Precast concrete structures,
- Traps or hoods,
- Vegetation or plantings, and
- Proprietary stormwater management systems/devices/components.
The Construction Certification Package must also include electronic copies of photographs documenting all SMP installations. The photographs must clearly depict the installation of all components of the SMP. This may include, but is not limited to, photographs of the following:
- Basin excavation,
- Subgrade preparation,
- Fabric or liner placement,
- Stone placement,
- Filter media placement,
- Pipe placement,
- Pipe perforation,
- Subsurface vault installation,
- Pretreatment system installation,
- Inlet control installation,
- Outlet control installation, and
- Landscaping.
Representative photographs of SMP installations are shown below.


5.3.2 Record Drawings
Along with the Construction Certification Package, PWD requires that Record Drawing(s) be submitted at the close of the project to ensure that the SMPs and their elements were constructed in general accordance with the Approved PCSMP, and to document any field changes. Record Drawing(s) are required for SMP verification and are a key component of PWD’s compliance reporting.
Record Drawings are construction drawings revised to represent the site’s as-built conditions, including, at a minimum, all locations, dimensions, elevations, and materials as constructed and installed. PWD uses Record Drawing(s) to verify compliance of the constructed site with the PWD Stormwater Management Regulations (Stormwater Regulations) and to document and verify the quantity of stormwater managed on a site. If compliance issues were observed during construction, PWD may request that the City of Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) hold the Certificate of Occupancy until the Record Drawing Review Phase or final inspection is complete. It is critical that the Record Drawing(s) reflect any changes from the Approved PCSMP design, approved field change or otherwise, that may affect the performance of the SMPs.
It is important that the property owner/developer be aware of the Record Drawing requirements within this Manual and within the Stormwater Regulations, budget accordingly, and consider these requirements when issuing the project for construction bid.
To properly prepare Record Drawing(s), the contractor must keep the Approved PCSMP on-site at all times throughout the construction process and document all changes from the Approved PCSMP as they occur. PWD recommends marking up and tracking changes on an actual copy of the Approved PCSMP to simplify preparation of the Record Drawing(s). Using the Approved PCSMP as a base, the Record Drawing(s) should highlight information confirmed to be in accordance with the Approved PCSMP in yellow, and must identify any deviations in red ink. The Record Drawing(s) must be clear and legible.
Record Drawings may be prepared by registered professionals, which PWD Stormwater Plan Review defines as Professional Engineers, Registered Architects, Landscape Architects, Professional Land Surveyors, Professional Geologists, or Licensed Contractors. PA DEP may have different requirements concerning the types of professionals who may prepare Record Drawings. For projects that require a NPDES Permit, the applicant is strongly encouraged to refer to PA DEP’s requirements for Record Drawings before selecting a professional to prepare Record Drawing(s) for PWD. The preparer of the plan must provide the Record Drawing drafting date and prominently display their signature and professional seal, or, in the case of Licensed Contractors, their signature, printed name, business title, company name, and L&I Contractor License Number, all of which must be clearly labeled, on each Record Drawing plan sheet. The information provided on the Record Drawing(s) will be assumed to be correct unless it conflicts with any observations made by PWD staff during inspections/site visits.
Most non-residential and some condominium projects confirmed to be in compliance with the Stormwater Regulations or Stormwater Retrofit design standards through a Record Drawing review and final inspection may be eligible for credit toward their Stormwater Management Service Charge (Stormwater Charge). The applicant is referred to Section 6.3 for more information on the Stormwater Credits Program.
For more information on Record Drawing Submission Package requirements and its submission and review process, the designer is referred to Section 2.3.1, Record Drawing Review Phase, and the Record Drawing Requirements table, Table E-8, in Appendix E. Samples which demonstrate how Approved PCSMP plan sheets should be marked-up in order to prepare Record Drawings are provided in Appendix K.