DATE: Tuesday, April 10, 2018                           TIME: 2 PM

The Venice Island underground storage basin of the Philadelphia Water Department is an enclosed basin which temporarily stores diverted flow from the sanitary interceptor sewer during intense rain storms. The basin is capable of storing nearly four million gallons of water that is later pumped out and directed to a treatment plant. The underground storage basin is approximately 400 feet long, 75 feet wide and 25 feet deep and located under the current parking lot and basketball courts.

In addition to the various pumping facilities necessary for the management of water flow, this project includes various green features and many community oriented facilities such as a performing arts center, athletic courts, amphitheatre and large parking area.

Our tour will be privileged to witness one of the periodic flushings of the storage basin.

Our tour leader will be Michael D. Hengstler, Superintendent with the Collector’s System Flow Control Unit. Michael is a 28 year veteran of the PWD. He spent his first 25 years in the Fresh Water Pumping Unit, starting in the Electrical Maintenance Group and eventually promoting to Assistant Superintendent of Pumping.

LOCATION: Enter Venice Island from Main St. in Manayunk via Lock St. We will meet at the Manayunk Performing Arts Center. https://www.google.com/maps/place/Venice+Island+Performing+Arts+%26+Recreation+Center/@40.0233017,-75.2234336,17.27z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x89c6b895bcca36a7:0xd3bcbe23906e7c07!8m2!3d40.0234686!4d-75.2222112

PARKING: Kiosk parking on the Island near the Performing Arts Center. Cost is $4 for 2 hours which should be sufficient time for the tour.

BY TRAIN: Take SEPTA #R6 to Manayunk station, then a 5 block walk.

BY BUS: Take SEPTA #61 along Main St. from Wissahickon Transfer Station.

REGISTRATION: E-mail or call Reese Davis at reesepdavis@gmail.com or 610-692-4456