Philadelphia's Water Supply: How Human Capital and Collaboration Can Overcome Significant Man-Made Challenges

This paper focuses on the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania water supply – past, present, and future – and makes the case that stakeholder collaboration is essential to preserve and enhance this important resource. I argue that without proper planning and funding allocations, the water supply of Philadelphia could be compromised, and by 2050 Philadelphians could learn that an inexpensive, seemingly endless supply of water is substantially diminished. Public awareness is critical as Philadelphia and the United States are both likely to move into an era of water scarcity and onerous water pricing models. The more stakeholders work together to prepare for future strains on their key natural resource, the better the quality of life will be for people and for the other inhabitants of our natural world.