Outstanding Operations
Recently, a customer reached out to thank Water Repair Foremen Ron Costa and Mike Gigliotti; Laborers Tony Johnson and Tim McCarthy; Utility Workers Billy Schempp, Aaron Kocher, and Dean Harmon; Truck Drivers Tim Rochford and Bobby Whigham; and Heavy Equipment Operator Joe Kasel for their work in making an emergency repair that restored water service to his Mount Washington home. Kudos to these dedicated employees and the rest of the Operations Department, whom we are very lucky to count on as members of Team PGH2O during this challenging time.
Dye Testing Determination
Prior to a property sale in the City of Pittsburgh, owners must submit an Evidence of Compliance Certificate Application to verify whether or not gutters, drains, or other stormwater collection is connected to sanitary sewers. One customer who needed help with this process wrote to us that Engineering Technician Veronica Mitchell assisted him in a very timely fashion. He also said, “We had a time crunch with the closing on our current house being scheduled for April 1. And with her most professional assistance, we have been able to get everything accomplished.” Thanks for the great work, Veronica!
Successful Storm Drain Service
Tweet: “Credit where credit is due, especially given everything with COVID-19. @pgh2o fixed the catch basin here and so far there is no flooding. No snarky remarks. Just thanks to the folks who have been working hard out here. You are appreciated."
Earlier this month, a customer residing in the Squirrel Hill North/Point Breeze area tweeted us to thank our contractor crews for replacing a storm drain (also referred to as “catch basin”) on South Lang Avenue. Although we’ve recently made the decision to suspend non-emergency storm drain replacements in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are incredibly grateful for our contractor crews and looking forward to returning to normal work schedules ASAP.
Connecting Veterans to Jobs
Pictured from left: PWSA Human Resources Specialist Stacey Hamilton and Senior Manager of Operations Randy Bergia, hosting a table at the Veteran’s Job Fair.
PWSA tabled at an event on March 5 for veterans and their families.
The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Recruit Military Job Fair is an opportunity to connect service members and their spouses to employment opportunities in Western PA. With over 50 employers in attendance at the Heinz Field event, service members were able to discuss their work experience with Human Resources representatives. Human Resources Specialist Stacey Hamilton, Senior Manager of Performance Emily Pontarelli, and Senior Manager of Operations Randy Bergia represented PWSA at the fair promoting our open positions that provide great benefits. All open positions can be found on our Careers page at pgh2o.com/about-us/careers.
Representative Ed Gainey and Clean Water Action Host Town Hall on Lead
Pictured from left: Senator Jay Costa, PWSA Executive Director Robert A. Weimar, Wilkinsburg-Penn Joint Water Authority Executive Director Nick Bianchi, and Representative Ed Gainey
Local agencies and state representatives shared information on lead education and assistance programs.
Residents of Homewood and Wilkinsburg gathered on March 12 to hear a panel of leaders from local agencies and organizations share their insights and talk about programs for homeowners and renters to help with lead issues in the home.
Organizations including the Allegheny County Health Department, Clean Water Action, and Women for a Healthy Environment discussed the health implications of lead in the home. PWSA Executive Director Robert A. Weimar and Wilkinsburg-Penn Joint Water Authority Executive Director Nick Bianchi fielded questions from the audience, along with Senator Jay Costa and Representative Ed Gainey. PWSA staff were on hand to talk to residents and share information on our lead service line replacement and financial assistance programs. We are grateful to Representaitve Gainey and Clean Water Action for the opportunty to share our solutions on this important issue with the community.
Get Ready, Get Set...Go!
Attendees listen to presentations at the MWDBE Annual Conference
The Minority, Women, Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (MWDBE) Governmental Committee hosted its 19th Annual Conference on March 5.
Comprised of eighteen regional governmental agencies including PWSA, the MWDBE Governmental Committee hosted their annual conference for Pittsburgh area businesses at the Rivers Casino. The well-attended event included inspiring opening remarks from the honorary Conference Chair and President of the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance, Mark Anthony Thomas. Thomas later moderated a “fireside chat” that focused on inclusion and diversity in government contracting and employment with a panel of regional leaders from ALCOSAN, the Port Authority, the Urban Redevelopment Authority, and Pittsburgh Public Schools.
The afternoon panel highlighted major construction projects in Pittsburgh with representatives from Turner Construction, Jacobs Engineering, PJ Dick, Intergen, and BPGS Developers sharing information on how to participate in the region’s growth.
Visit PWSA’s website to view open contract opportunities:
pgh2o.com/developers-contractors-vendors/bids-opportunities/solicitations.
