A Philadelphia Water Transport Records (WTR) pre-permit is an application-stage record; proof that a sewer connection was built or accepted comes later. For one lateral, match the approved pre-permit to the issued Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) sewer connection permit and the later WTR inspection result. WTR may also update an existing utility return plan; a plan update is a different record from the inspector's result.
Find the PWD permit for the actual sewer connection
The WTR page says the unit issues pre-permit applications for proposed water and sewer connections and inspects new sewer laterals and repairs. Its description also says WTR updates connections on existing utility return plans. These are distinct tasks. A drawing or a pre-permit shows the proposal; the connection permit and inspection report show what followed.
For a new connection, the current PWD Water & Sewer Permits instructions say to give WTR the project address, approved Utility Plan, lateral details and plumber. After WTR approval, the PWD Permit Desk validates and prints the connection permit. Repairs have a different entry path; identify the work before using the new-lateral sequence.
The PWD Sewer Connection and Repair Manual assigns the sewer connection and lateral to PWD's connection permit, and on-site work through the curb trap to a separate L&I plumbing permit, so one job can need both. The manual points to the current PWD permit page for application steps.
If the paperwork uses the name “Water Desk,” check the issuer and permit type printed on the document. Similar office names and the shared Municipal Services Building location can hide a meaningful difference between WTR's preliminary approval, PWD's connection permit and an L&I permit. Keep each document's own number and date instead of treating one as an alias for another.
Match the lateral to its WTR inspection result
After permit issuance, the PWD permit instructions direct the plumber to arrange a sewer-lateral inspection. The manual's new-connection and repair report forms match an address, permit number, date, comments and complies/does-not-comply outcome. Look for a completed report with that outcome filled in; an appointment or blank form only shows the inspection was arranged.
Make a small record ledger from documents you actually hold:
- Work identity: address, the approved plan or described lateral, and whether the job is a new connection or repair. Note any changed scope or second lateral.
- Permission: WTR pre-permit identifier and date, then the separately issued PWD connection or repair permit number and date. Record an L&I plumbing permit separately if one applies.
- Field result: WTR inspection date, connection or repair permit number on the report, the stated outcome and any unresolved comment or correction.
- Mapped record: any utility return-plan reference, update date and represented connection. Mark this unknown unless the particular plan or a response from its custodian identifies it.
Suppose a wholly fictional packet contains a pre-permit for a rear lateral, an issued PWD permit for that lateral and an inspection report dated later. A return-plan extract in the same packet marks a front connection under another permit number. The street address matches, while the lateral and numbers differ. Preserve that mismatch and ask WTR which connection each record describes, keeping each map entry with its own connection.
Even a report stating that the inspected connection complies answers only what that report covers: that lateral, on that date. Other laterals, plumbing and building inspections, and certificates of occupancy have their own records. Our Philadelphia certificate-of-occupancy guide explains the separate issued-certificate question; the final-inspection status guide helps distinguish an appointment from a dated result.
Recover a missing WTR inspection report or older return plan
Start with the record's likely custodian. The WTR unit lists wtr@phila.gov and (215) 685-6271 for its connection work. Give the project address, PWD permit or WTR pre-permit number if known, approximate work date, lateral location and the precise missing item: a new-connection inspection report, repair report or return-plan reference. Ask whether WTR holds that named record, whether it can be released and how an older copy may be inspected or requested.
For an approved plan or review letter, PWD's Development Services FAQ directs unaffiliated requesters to pwd_devservices@phila.gov and warns that some review records cannot be shared or copied and may require an in-person view. That route covers review material, while inspection reports stay with WTR. If an agency-held item needs a formal request, the City's Open Records Policy requires the standard statewide Right-to-Know form addressed to the appropriate PWD Open Records Officer. Include the requester's name and contact information and describe the specific record, address, permit number and approximate period.
Use the address and permit number as your matching keys, and ask WTR how far back its connection and return-plan records go. If an online search comes up empty or a permit has no report attached, request the named inspection report directly.
Philadelphia Water Department pages checked October 8, 2026.