Maryland Avenue Stormwater Project: Contractor installs portion of underground storage on Kentucky Avenue in Shadyside.

The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority has invested over $42 million in our Capital Improvement Plan through July. Through several ongoing initiatives, we remain committed to modernizing and improving our infrastructure. Our investments in the water distribution system are headlined by over $17 million in funds committed to our small diameter pipe replacement projects through the end of June. PWSA strategically determines these small diameter pipe replacement projects as areas that are aged and in need of repairs. In addition to our water rehabilitation capital projects, PWSA is continuing to fund needed stormwater infrastructure. 

Our stormwater capital projects focus on projects that will reduce sewer overflows and basement backups and lessen the amount of pollution entering our rivers and streams. The catch basin and inlet replacement projects are critical elements to our rehabilitation of the storm system. Ensuring that the entrance of stormwater into our system is structurally sound allows for better stormwater management and maintenance in our future.  

Some of the significant stormwater projects funded by our Capital Improvement Plan are the second phase of the Wightman Park Stormwater project in Squirrel Hill and the Maryland Avenue Stormwater project in Shadyside. Both projects include installing green stormwater systems within the public streets and at intersections to capture, hold back, and slowly release stormwater into the sewer system. The projects use a variety of green solutions including “bump-out” planters at intersections, channel drains, permeable pavers, and underground stone storage. These improvements will help to reduce basement backups, neighborhood flooding, and will slowly release stormwater into the sewer system.  

By prioritizing these capital improvement projects in our water, sewer, and stormwater infrastructure, PWSA continues to invest in the reliability of our services. The graphic below shows a financial breakdown of capital spending in 2021.