Recognizing and honoring Debra A. McCarty, on the occasion of her retirement as Commissioner of the Philadelphia Water Department, for her decades of service to the City, citizens, and waterways of Philadelphia.

WHEREAS, Debra A. McCarty now concludes her tenure as Commissioner of Philadelphia Water Department, after over 37 years of service; and

WHEREAS, Ms. McCarty received her Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Engineering from Johns Hopkins University, and thereafter moved to Lancaster, PA to pursue a career in consulting engineering, always intending to return to her native Baltimore; and

WHEREAS, Instead, Ms. McCarty moved to Philadelphia in 1982, for what she intended to be brief employment with the Water Department, started in the Civil Service System as a graduate civil engineer at the Department’s Northeast Wastewater Treatment Plant, and progressively attained management roles of increasing responsibility; and

WHEREAS, In 2004, Ms. McCarty was appointed as the Deputy Commissioner and Director of Operations for the Water Department, with responsibilities including oversight of the operation and maintenance of three drinking water treatment plants, three wastewater treatment plants and contract operations of a biosolids facility, as well as oversaw the operation and maintenance of the 3,200 miles of water mains, 3,500 miles of sewers, 79,000 inlets, 25,000 fire hydrants and various pumping stations throughout the City; and

WHEREAS, McCarty has additionally served on numerous boards, including her current role as president of her neighborhood civic association. When she can, she also enjoys biking or hiking with her dog in Fairmount Park, attending cultural activities in Philadelphia, purchasing fresh produce from local farmers at the Reading Terminal Market and Clark Park, and gardening; and

WHEREAS, In 2016, incoming Mayor Kenney appointed her to be the first woman to serve as Water Commissioner in the over two centuries of the Department’s existence, where she has spent the last three years overseeing the entire water, sewer and stormwater utility and is honored to lead a committed group of more than 2,100 employees in providing the best quality service to Philadelphians; and

WHEREAS, Ms. McCarty is set to retire on April 5, 2019 after more than four decades of service to the Water Department, the City of Philadelphia, and its citizens; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That Council does hereby recognize and honor Debra A. McCarty, on the occasion of her retirement as Commissioner of the Philadelphia Water Department, for her decades of service to the City, citizens, and waterways of Philadelphia.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Debra McCarty, evidencing the sincere admiration and respect of this legislative body.

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