Fully vaccinated members from our Water Team positioned left to right: Senior Manager, Construction, Don Gawne; Engineer III, Shannon Connell; Project Manager, Sonja Svihla; Associate Project Manager, Zach Rinker; Director of Engineering, Barry King; Senior Group Manager, Water Programs, Sarah Bolenbaugh; Associate Project Manager, Brent Lahaie; Associate Project Manager, Bradley McShane; Water Distribution Program Coordinator, Darby Neidig; Associate Project Manager, Anthony Gallina; Associate Project Manager, Rasheed Tunde Ibrahim. Not pictured: Project Manager, Dan Cleary         

The Water Reliability Plan is a major initiative to construct a series of once-in-a-generation projects to renew key components of our water production and distribution system. Meet the talented engineers working behind the scenes to implement these important projects to secure our water future. Sarah Bolenbaugh, Senior Group Manager, Water Programs, oversees an abundance of ongoing initiatives that will accomplish goals detailed in the Water Reliability Plan over the next several years. Her role is to manage capital improvement projects that coincide with a larger vision of a rehabilitated water system. 

Dan Cleary, Project Manager, manages multiple water projects at any given time, including projects to rehabilitate large pipes, known as rising mains. The rising mains distribute water from pump stations to reservoirs within our system. His specific project to rehabilitate Rising Mains 3 and 4, which provide water to the Highland Park reservoirs, will ensure there is reliable water service for many of our customers.

Dan said, “I love the challenge of completing high-level projects and will enjoy seeing the benefits of these projects in the future.” 

In addition to Dan’s efforts, Bradley McShane, Associate Project Manager, is heavily involved in projects related to the Water Reliability Plan. Brad previously played a significant role in the Highland II Reservoir cover and liner rehabilitation by processing Request For Proposals (RFP) and sending the project to bid. Brad looks forward to being involved with constructing a new pump station in Highland Park near Mellon Terrace and Negley Avenue.  

“I enjoy the challenge of meeting mandated deadlines and communicating internally and externally with coworkers,” said Brad.

Sarah notes that PWSA in the past has largely been reactive to issues in our water system. The goal now is to be proactive and identify areas that need to be rehabilitated and improved. The projects within the Water Reliability Plan will modernize key components of our water infrastructure and create a stronger and more reliable water system for current and future generations of PWSA customers.