The department of public works shall have the care, management, administration, and supervision of waterworks, gas-works, and other public utilities (except as otherwise provided in this act) owned or controlled by the city, the supply and distribution of water and gas, the grading, paving, repairing, cleaning, and lighting of streets, alleys, and highways, including footways, the construction, protection, maintenance, operation, and repair of public buildings, bridges, and structures of every kind for public use, public squares, real estate (except as otherwise provided by this act or as is now or may hereafter be provided by law or ordinance), surveys, engineering, sewerage, drainage, and all matters and things in any way relating to or affecting the highways or footways of the city.
53 P.S. § 12263