Reclaiming the Rain

Stormwater poses challenges to most cities, but what if rain could be treated as a valuable resource instead of a problem?

This 27-minute documentary case study charts Philadelphia’s bold attempt to capture billions of gallons of stormwater with green infrastructure. With limited resources and competing demands from constituents and city officials, Philadelphia’s Green City, Clean Waters initiative promised to mitigate water pollution, while bringing much-needed investments to neighborhoods. A story of political will, coalition building, innovation, and unforeseen challenges, what can be learned from Philadelphia’s massive undertaking?