Sinkholes leave South Philadelphia residents frustrated and searching for help

Tuesday, July 22, 2025
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- In the middle of the 2200 block of South 15th Street, there are a number of sinkholes causing neighbors a headache. They say it's been like this for months, and they're now asking us to get some answers.

"There's one over there, there's one over there, there's one up there. They dug it all up and just left it and have never been back," says Joy Wexler.

"I'm not blaming anybody, I just want some attention," said another neighbor.

It's hard to tell which agency is responsible, with cones and barricades from both the Philadelphia Water Department and PGW left behind.

"I have called 3-1-1 and I've gotten a response from the streets department saying it's not our fault. PGW has not responded at all, the water department has not responded at all," said Alex, who lives on the block.



Residents say this started in early spring with work from PGW, then a water main break.

"We have approximately 9-10 cave-ins. It's what the streets department calls them, but they're actually sinkholes," said Alex.

The issue has created serious hazards. On July 20, a Philadelphia fire truck got stuck in one of the smaller holes.

Neighbors say 3-1-1 marks it down as a pothole issue.

"She kept using the word pothole. I said, 'You really should have someone come out and look at this.' This isn't a pothole where someone's tires can get messed up; this is literally a hole where someone's car can literally fall into the ground," said Wexler.



We reached out to PGW, the Streets Department, the Philadelphia Water Department and Council President Kenyatta Johnson's office.

A spokesperson for Johnson says they are working on finding the agency responsible for making repairs as quickly as possible.

"Council President Kenyatta Johnson's office has been notified by neighbors about issues happening on their block.

"We have immediately contacted the Streets Department, Water Department, PGW and the Managing Director's Office to get to the bottom of the delay and get the street fixed as fast as possible," said Kenyatta Johnson's spokesperson, Vincent Thompson.

Neighbors say this has caused them nightmares, popped tires and parking tickets, from trying to find a spot elsewhere.



They say no matter who is responsible, they want all the agencies to work together and get back to work.
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