Pittsburgh, PA – This week, the Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority (PWSA) reinstated its 125 million-gallon covered reservoir after replacing the liner and cover. This nine-month project, the largest of its kind in North America in 2022, ensured the reliability and security of the reservoir, which will play a key role in the Water Reliability Plan.
Constructed between 1897 and 1903, the Highland II Reservoir supplies water to portions of Squirrel Hill, Downtown, South Side, and West End, making it a crucial part of our water distribution system. PWSA’s drained the reservoir, removed the previous materials, and installed a new liner, floating cover and supplemental equipment, like rainwater removal pumps. This work will add 25 more years of service to the structure and improve its reliability as other Water Reliability Plan projects take place.
The Water Reliability Plan culminates with the complete restoration of the century old Clearwell. This structure, located at the Water Treatment Plant, puts treated water in contact with chlorine to kill any bacteria and pathogens in the water, making it safe to drink. Because this is a singular feature of our system, alternate clearwells, like the Highland II Reservoir, will be established while it is taken offline for work.
The Water Reliability Plan is a series of large-scale projects throughout our water distribution system.
The Rising Main 3 Rehabilitation, which revitalized a large diameter pipe that moves water into the Highland Park Reservoir system, was the first Water Reliability Plan project completed this year. Work is already underway on the next phase of projects. In late 2022, PWSA began constructing the Rising Main 4 Rehabilitation and Replacement project and in 2023 will begin constructing the Highland Reservoir Pump Station and Rising Main Replacement. As these projects come to completion, construction of the remaining projects will begin in sequential order. These include the Aspinwall and Bruecken Pump Station Improvements, the Lanpher Rising Main Construction, Lanpher Reservoir Improvements, Clearwell Bypass Project, and Clearwell Replacement.
Construction worker adding new liner to the Highland II Reservoir.
“We are thrilled to see another puzzle piece of our massive Water Reliability Plan completed,” said PWSA CEO Will Pickering. We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure we upgrade our drinking water system for the benefit of current and future generations of Pittsburghers,” he continued.
To learn more about the Water Reliability Plan and the history of Pittsburgh drinking water system, visit www.pgh2o.com/WRP.
