PWSA Chief Executive Officer, Will Pickering

The traditional Thanksgiving celebration with family and friends will look different this year. COVID-19 continues to spread at an alarming rate, and the best way to show our gratitude for loved ones is to follow the guidelines established by public health professionals.  

No matter how we celebrate, Thanksgiving is still a time to be grateful for the things and people we care about most and to consider how we might help others. If you would like to make a difference in the lives of Pittsburgh residents, our Hardship Grant Program provides a way to benefit local families who are struggling to pay for basic water services. Your charitable contribution stays in the community to support our customers who need it most.  

During this difficult time, no one should have to choose between paying their water bill and other essential expenses. As you reflect upon all that you are grateful for this year, please consider donating to this important program. Your generosity will go a long way to help another Pittsburgh resident.   

As I reflect upon this past year, I am grateful for the essential work we are doing to deliver safe and reliable water services throughout Pittsburgh. Here are some of the things that I find most meaningful:  

• PWSA’s decisive actions to keep our employees safe. We instituted a mandatory work from home policy and established health screenings for employees and contractors working in the field and at our treatment facilities. These swift actions have kept our workforce safe.
• Serving alongside a dedicated team who step up to meet every challenge. Our employees are committed to providing essential water services to Pittsburgh residents and businesses. Their strong work ethic and can-do attitude in the face of unprecedented challenges are inspirational.
• Making progress to replace aging infrastructure. We are advancing a series of once-in-a-generation projects to renew key components of our water production and distribution systems. We are also replacing water mains, removing lead lines, rehabilitating aging sewer lines, and constructing new stormwater infrastructure. These projects will strengthen our water systems and provide more reliable service for our customers.
• Appreciation for our customers. We appreciate your patience as we make the needed investment in our overall water system and recover from our past missteps. As a publicly owned utility, we never lose sight that this is your water, and we are committed to continuing to improve.
• Assisting those that need it most. We have established industry-leading programs to help customers who cannot afford their bill. Over the next year we will conduct more outreach to connect customers with the assistance they need.

On behalf of the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority, I would like to wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving. We appreciate your support as we work to provide the quality water services that Pittsburgh expects and deserves. To learn more about Hardship Grant Program or to donate, please visit pgh2o.com/give.