Workers replacing a water main on Philadelphia's Spruce Street in 2017 uncovered wooden water mains dating back to the early 19th century. The pipes were found during excavation along the 900 block of Spruce Street on 3 May, and research by Adam Levine, PWD's historical consultant, indicates the main was most likely installed around 1812. Records from the city's Watering Committee show that a pipe was laid "Back of Spruce, from Ninth to Tenth" between October 1811 and October 1812. The wooden mains formed part of Philadelphia's early water infrastructure before the city transitioned to cast iron pipes.
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