Pittsburgh, PA - Today, the Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority (PWSA) announced its participation in the annual advocacy and educational event, United for Infrastructure 2020, that takes place from Sept. 14-21, 2020. United for Infrastructure Week is a national week of events, media coverage, and education and advocacy efforts to elevate infrastructure as a critical issue impacting all Americans. Across the country, businesses, labor organizations and elected officials will come together to spread the message that the nation must work together to #RebuildBetter.
To celebrate, PWSA is hosting two virtual events that will provide an opportunity for Pittsburgh residents to learn about the improvements we are making to our water infrastructure. Please join us for a panel discussion focusing on our water future and a virtual, behind the scenes tour of the Microfiltration Plant (MFP) in Highland Park.
Our Water Future – A panel discussion about critical water infrastructure projects
Thursday, September 17 | 6:30 to 8:00 PM
Join the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority in a high-level discussion about the future of our water infrastructure. Will Pickering, Executive Director; Jen Presutti, Deputy Executive Director; and Barry King, Director of Engineering and Construction will discuss the critical water projects we will construct over the next few years. This discussion is an opportunity to learn about the significance of the projects and the steps we are taking to modernize our water infrastructure. Participants will learn about the engineering techniques behind these improvements, how they will strengthen our overall system, and ensure the delivery of safe and reliable water services. Brian K. Jensen, Ph.D. of the Allegheny Conference will moderate the discussion.
Learn more and register: www.pgh2o.com/news-events/events-meetings/2020-09-17-united-infrastructure-panel-discussion
Virtual Tour – Microfiltration Plant in Highland Park
Monday, September 21 | 1:30 to 2:30 PM
Our celebration of water infrastructure concludes with a tour of the Microfiltration Plant in Highland Park. Tune into our Facebook page to join Project Manager, Marc Frangipani for a fascinating behind the scenes look at the plant. He will discuss the importance of this facility, highlight the technology that is used to treat water and automate the plant, and introduce you to the operators and technicians that work on-site each day.
Learn more and register: www.pgh2o.com/news-events/events-meetings/2020-09-21-united-infrastructure-virtual-mfp-tour
The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority is excited to share this information to build awareness about the steps we are taking to strengthen our water and sewer systems. The pipes, pumps, reservoirs, tanks, and treatment facilities that Pittsburgh residents and businesses rely on every day to bring clean drinking water to their taps and take wastewater away from their homes were well constructed nearly a century ago. They have served us well, however, we can no longer wait to upgrade these critical components of our water and sewer systems.
Since 2017 PWSA has increased its investment in its water and sewer infrastructure and plans to continue this investment over the next several years. The improvements we are making will modernize our water system and ensure safe and reliable water services for future generations of Pittsburgh residents. These projects include refurbishing the Clearwell, a water storage facility that is more than a century old and serves the entire PWSA distribution system as well as rehabilitation of large diameter water mains, upgrades to pumps, reservoirs, and tanks, lining sewer mains, and meeting our goal to remove all lead service lines by 2026. United for Infrastructure 2020 is a reminder of the importance of these projects and why this investment is critical to Pittsburgh.
Beginning in 2021, our capital investment is expected to exceed $200,000 million dollars annually to make critical improvements in our water, sewer, and stormwater systems.
About United for Infrastructure 2020
United for Infrastructure 2020 is a week-long event that advocates for better infrastructure policy and greater investment from all levels of government. Quality, affordable infrastructure – from clean water and broadband internet to safe transportation and strong supply chains – has never been more important. This year’s theme, Rebuild Better, elevates the policies to ensure every American has the infrastructure they need, highlights the role of essential infrastructure workers amidst the pandemic, and opens a conversation about decisions of the past that perpetuated inequities in communities of color, what to do about it, and how to build resilient infrastructure that helps communities thrive in a changing climate.
Now in its eighth year, United for Infrastructure (formerly Infrastructure Week) unites diverse stakeholders to send one message to leaders in Washington and beyond. United for Infrastructure 2020 is led by a coalition of labor, business and policy organizations and joined by hundreds of affiliates nationwide. Programming draws attention to the need to make better policy and invest in our roads, rails, pipes, ports, wires, and more.
“The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority is proud to participate in United for Infrastructure 2020. It is an opportunity to build awareness about our infrastructure needs and provide Pittsburgh residents with more information about why these projects are crucial to our water future,” stated Will Pickering, PWSA’s Executive Director. “Over the next several years we will invest approximately $312 million in large system improvements. These “once in a generation” projects will modernize our water distribution system and provide customers with more secure and reliable water services.
United for Infrastructure Executive Director Zach Schafer says: “We are thrilled that PWSA has joined United for Infrastructure 2020. The state of America’s infrastructure is one of the nation’s most pressing issues. As the country falls deeper into a recession, we know that investing in infrastructure can play a crucial role in our recovery, creating both short-term and long-term jobs that support middle-class families and allow communities to thrive. When we invest in infrastructure, we invest in ourselves.”
For more information about PWSA’s participation in United for Infrastructure, please visit www.pgh2o.com/united-infrastructure. For more information about United for Infrastructure 2020 please visit, unitedforinfrastructure.org. Follow @PGH2O and @United4Infra for event updates.
About PWSA
The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) is the largest combined water, sewer and stormwater authority in Pennsylvania, serving 300,000 consumers throughout the City of Pittsburgh and surrounding areas.
