The Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) has several construction projects in the works around Chestnut Hill and Mt. Airy, the agency announced in its quarterly construction newsletter on Sept. 29.

The department has planned more than 100 projects in Philadelphia involving the installation of new water pipes for homes and businesses. These projects aim to make drinking water services more reliable and decrease the chance of pipe breakages, according to PWD.

Residents on blocks slated for construction were first notified about the project when it was awarded to the contractor, PWD spokesperson Brian Rademaekers said in an email. The residents will receive an updated letter when the contractor sets a starting date.

The timeline for water main replacements can vary due to factors such as weather.

Here are a few local project updates:

Sprague/Vernon in East Mt. Airy

PWD is replacing water mains and installing green stormwater infrastructure along certain streets in Mt. Airy. Crews began construction in mid-August.

The city has installed new pipes on Sprague Street from East Ellet Street to Meehan Avenue and Ellet Street between Sprague and Boyer Streets, PWD confirmed in an email.

PWD is on schedule to finish the project by February 2026, but widespread material shortages may extend that timeline, PWD said.

The city is installing stormwater infrastructure as part of its 25-year “Green City, Clean Waters” plan, which uses green infrastructure and sewer infrastructure improvements to reduce stormwater overflow in neighborhoods. Crews will install green infrastructure on the northeast corner of Blakemore Street and Vernon Road.

The affected streets are:

•Sprague Street from East Mt. Pleasant Avenue to Pleasant Street.

•Blakemore Street from East Gorgas Lane to Vernon Road.

•East Ellet Street from Boyer to Sprague Streets.

•East Sedgwick Street from Boyer to Sprague Streets.

•Vernon Road from Boyer to Ardleigh Streets.

Wissahickon/Park Line in West Mt. Airy

PWD is set to replace the water mains on several streets in West Mt. Airy this fall.

The department plans on installing new lines on Wissahickon Avenue between West Hortter and West Johnson Streets; West Kingsley Street between Park Line Drive and Wissahickon Avenue; Park Line Drive between West Hortter and West Johnson Streets, as well as West Cliveden and West Johnson Streets between Wayne and Wissahickon Avenues.

PWD does not yet have a specific start date for this project. The contractor is currently working on establishing a start date and gathering the materials, crews and equipment, division engineer Dave Pandya told the Local.

Affected properties may experience water interruptions during construction, the PWD’s website reads. The contractor will notify residents about water service interruptions 24 hours in advance, except in the case of water main breaks or emergency repairs.

Bells Mill/Germantown in Chestnut Hill

The department plans to build new water mains on Germantown Avenue between Hillcrest Avenue and Laughlin Lane, as well as on West Sunset Avenue, West Bells Mill Road and parts of East Bells Mill Road.

There is no estimated start date as of Oct. 2, but PWD expects that the contractor will receive the green light to move forward in mid-October.

Abby Weiss is an environmental reporter for the Local and a Report for America corps member. She can be reached at Abby@chestnuthilllocal.com.