March 2018

IN THIS ISSUE: RAW TALK 1 RAW Talk By Interim Executive Director Robert A. Weimar 2 PWSA in the Community Watermark and PUC Oversight 4 PWSA in the News

those needs in mind, we are Transition to PUC Oversight 5 Engineering and Construction launching Watermark. The for Customer Service mission of Watermark is to In April, PWSA will officially 7 Team PWSA help our employees grow become a regulated utility 9 Water Wise professionally through training operating under the oversight 10 PWSA Connect and development programs. of the Public The Watermark team will be Utility Commission (PUC). The COMING UP: staffed by consultants initially transition to PUC oversight but will transition to an internal offers PWSA customers new 2018 Board Meeting Dates group of PWSA employees. consumer protections and April 20, May 18, June 22 Watermark: A New The program will provide opportunities. As a result of Community Stormwater Resource for PWSA Staff the knowledge and support Roundtables: this new oversight, PWSA’s March 27, Library I’ve often used this column to improve the way we do Water Exoneration Hearing April 11, EEOC to explain how PWSA is business. Board and appeal process April 25, GTECH Strategies confronting decades of Beginning in May, Watermark will be ended. However, we Lawrenceville 6th Ward disinvestment in our critical Block Watch will offer voluntary training remind customers that PWSA March 26 water assets. The lack of opportunities which focus on remains their first resource for St. Augustine Parish meaningful investment means strategic problem solving and any billing, service, or repair Smallman Street Water and that key components of our process improvements. This issues. Despite PUC oversight, Sewer Project Meeting infrastructure are at risk of March 27 training is similar to programs PWSA has an obligation to Society for Contemporary serious failure. Thankfully, offered at the most successful ensure customer satisfaction Crafts our Board of Directors and and admired public and and service. Customers are 9th Annual Golden Executive Leadership team private utilities. In addition, encouraged to work with us Luncheon have recognized this reality April 2 the Watermark team will to resolve any issues prior to River’s Casino Ballroom and are acting to make be a technical resource to engaging the PUC. Under the the investments necessary Woods Run Mairdale address staff-recommended new oversight, PUC will serve Avenue Stormwater Project to renew our physical performance improvement as the final arbiter of service- Meeting infrastructure. April 5 and innovation projects at all related disputes. Perry High School levels of PWSA. I am confident But the need to invest I commend the Customer Lawrenceville 10th Ward in our infrastructure isn’t that Watermark will provide Service, Legal, and Finance Block Watch valuable training and insight April 10 limited to replacing old departments for their diligent Goodwill Workforce water mains or pumps. We to meet the challenges ahead work over several months Development Center and continue to Get Stuff must also look inward and to update PWSA’s rules and Lincoln-Lemington invest in the people who Done (GSD) for our customers. regulations to comply with Community Consensus I look forward to sharing Group are responsible for making new PUC requirements. More April 14 PWSA the utility Pittsburgh PWSA’s innovative projects information on customer Paulson Recreation Center and initiatives created with expects and deserves. With service changes and the PUC Stanton Heights the support of this initiative in can be found on our webpage Neighborhood future RAW Talk columns soon. Association at pgh2o.com/puc. April 18 Sunnyside Elementary PWSA IN THE COMMUNITY

#GetToKnowPgh2o PWSA IN THE Building Trust and Transparency With Our Valued Customers COMMUNITY Interim Executive Director Bob Weimar and PWSA’s communications team continued to visit and speak with residents at local community meetings in the Hill District, , and about PWSA’s plans to improve water Hill District Consensus Group quality and service to customers. March 8 Any community group that would like to request a presentation for their Hill House Association neighborhood should contact [email protected] (please provide at least two weeks advance notice). Hazelwood Initiative Please check your local neighborhood community group schedule for dates and March 13 times, or see our full list of upcoming meetings at: 5344 Second Avenue

pgh2o.com/communitymeetings Troy Hill Citizens March 14 Most Holy Names School

World Water Day: Our Water Campaign March 22 621 N. Dallas Avenue

Green Infrastructure Presentations at Local Universities:

Sustainability Class - Chatham March 13 Chatham University, Eden Hall

Sustainability Class - GSPIA March 15

Four Mile Run Forum March 19 University of Pittsburgh

Interim Executive Director Bob Weimar answers questions from the residents of Hazelwood and Troy Hill (top and bottom left); Senior Communications Manager Will Pickering at The Hill District (bottom right)

CURRENTS | March 2018 2 PWSA IN THE COMMUNITY

PWSA Customer Feedback Seeking Return on All PWSA staff works hard to go above and beyond Relationships (R.O.A.R.) to help customers. The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer • PWSA crews helped a student retrive a wallet he lost down a storm drain on the way to school. Councilman R. Daniel Authority connects with minority Lavelle’s office reached out on behalf of the student’s business enterprises mother to thank our crews for their quick help so her son could make it to class!

• The president of a local real estate group expressed her appreciation for PWSA’s meetings with residents and the opportunity to hear directly from Interim Executive Director Bob Weimar and the PWSA communications team, who provided a greater understanding of the issues that matter the most to communities.

• PWSA worked quickly to coordinate a full lead line replacement with a customer who discovered their service line was made of lead during a sewer repair on their property. The most cost-effective way to remove lead pipes is while the ground is open. Thanks to our crews for the efficient response!

• PWSA and the Department of Public Works (DPW) assisted a customer to locate and make a shut to their curb box. In just one day, crews were able to determine the location from records, without costly excavation. Thanks to everyone who George Robinson (middle) with 2018 EMSDC Stellar Awards pulled together to find an answer for this customer! recipients Jerome and John Bettis (left, right) of Bettis Brothers Sand and Gravel of Pittsburgh.

Since adopting the Equal Opportunity Policy (EOP) this past December, expanding contracting and purchasing opportunities to minority, women, veteran, and service-disabled businesses is an important goal for PWSA. To make these connections and build awareness about our contracting needs, George Robinson, Manager of Development Services, attended the EMSDC (Eastern Minority Supplier Diversity Council) Conference and Matchmaker event at the Wyndham Grand on Thursday, March 8. This event created a forum to meet minority- owned businesses looking to expand and grow their companies while also providing training sessions focusing on supplier diversity and government contract best practices. Our Field Services crews see customers on the street every According to Robinson, it was a successful and day while they perform routine work, like water main repairs productive event that provided a unique way and curb box identifications. In Millvale this month, crews to meet and interact with a group of motivated were out repairing a water main and spotted this friendly businesses looking for opportunities to expand message in a customer’s window – thanks for the words of and grow. encouragement!

CURRENTS | March 2018 3 PWSA IN THE NEWS

PWSA Kicks Off 2018 Curb Box Inspection Program to Find Lead Media and Water Service Lines Press Releases PWSA contractors will MEDIA COVERAGE inspect three times more service lines than 2017 PWSA board elects former Pittsburgh program. finance director as chairman, Tribune- Review

PWSA is beginning a second round PWSA’s Robert Weimar Defends Lead of curb box inspections to identify the Line Replacement Budget, location of water service lines made KDKA Radio of lead. The work will be performed through a $2.8 million contract Former city official chosen to lead with Michael Baker International to PWSA, Post-Gazette inspect 15,000 residential service sidewalk. In most situations, this line connections. PWSA inspected process will provide a clear view Get more lead out (letter to the edi- over 5,000 service lines during its of the water service line below. tor), Post-Gazette 2017 inspection program. Cameras are then used to take Service line material inspections pictures of the service line that will Privatization is not the answer for the play a key role in the Authority’s be used to identify the material of the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority, overall Lead Program. We must pipe. Finally, crews will document all Post-Gazette identify lead service lines throughout located curb boxes within the work PWSA’s drinking water system to zone for future reference. The First Step In Restructuring PWSA lay the groundwork for eventual Could Be Presented To City Council Inspections under the 2018 Curb Next Week, WESA replacement. Customers will be Box Inspection Program begin in notified directly of the inspection the Perry North and results to inform them about the PWSA plans to check 15K homes for neighborhoods of the . lead lines this year, Trib quality of water in their homes. To see the streets impacted by The public can also view available this work, see PWSA’s schedule at P3 Perspective, Water & Wastes Digest curb box inspection results on our pgh2o.com/press. website, at pgh2o.com/CBI. (from 1-10) PWSA will continuously update “This innovative method of its lead service line map with identifying lead service lines was curb box inspection results. Per PRESS RELEASES conceived by PWSA Field Operations a consent order and agreement staff,” said Interim Executive Director with the Pennsylvania Department Robert Weimar. of Environmental Protection, PWSA expands economic “Accessing the curb box and taking PWSA must update its inventory of opportunities for minority, women, pictures to document material- approximately 71,000 residential veteran, and service-disabled type avoids costly and disruptive water service line connections by business enterprises excavations. We are excited to see December 31, 2020. The Authority Michael Baker take our innovation to has already scanned over 100,000 PWSA Material Inspection the next level this year.” paper records, some of which are Schedule – District 1 over 100-years-old. PWSA will Curb box inspections begin by PWSA Kicks Off 2018 Curb Box locating and marking curb boxes, make these records viewable on the service line map in the coming Inspection Program to Find Lead and then clearing out the curb box, Water Service Lines which is the hollow pipe leading to months. the shutoff valve often found in the

CURRENTS | March 2018 4 ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION

Getting the Lead Out Lead Service Line Replacement (LSLR) Pre-Construction Internal Home Inspections. PWSA started its lead service line replacement pre-construction internal home inspections, which is performed to identify water service lines made of lead. These inspections started on March 7, 2018, and are being performed through a contract with G Stephens, Inc. The contractor team has completed 146 inspections to date, with a goal to inspect a total of 1,500 homes by the end of August 2018. For information about the LSLR program, customers can email [email protected] or call the Lead Help Desk at 412.255.8987. Green Infrastructure (GI) Update

Woods Run Mairdale Avenue Stream The Woods Run Mairdale Avenue Stream Inflow Project Inflow Project conceptual design phase is underway. The project is located in northside’s Riverview Park within the O-27 sewershed, one of PWSA’s priority sewersheds for GI project development. The ultimate goal of the Woods Run project is to reduce stream and stormwater runoff, as well as sediment loading into the sewer system. This will ultimately reduce combined sewer overflows and localized flooding. For the project design, PWSA selected Civil and Environmental Consultants (CEC) to develop 30 percent preliminary concepts for the project area. Currently, the CEC design team is evaluating various concept stream restoration and watershed surface storage techniques within the project area. The selected concepts are expected to be finalized in June 2018. The final 100 percent design will start shortly thereafter.

2018 YTD Expenditure Report includes all paid Vendor Invoices and Contractor Pay Applications from January 1, 2018, to March 17, 2018, as well as invoices received but not yet finalized/approved. Operations Capital $5,770,608 $6,666,372 Capital $6,666,372

Operations $5,770,608

TOTAL $12,436,980

CURRENTS | March 2018 5 ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION

PWSA Breaks Ground on Smallman Street Water and Sewer Line Project in April

As part of its robust Capital Improvement Program, PWSA will replace major water lines, stormwater, and sanitary sewers along Smallman Street, between 16th Street and 21st Street, in the Strip District.

The project will take place from Smallman open on weekends for a late April until winter 2018 and fee. provide necessary infrastructure “We understand that this is an improvements to the neighborhood inconvenience to the businesses in and in the development of the the future for piecemeal repairs to the the Strip District and those who love to historic Produce Terminal building. water and sewer lines on Smallman visit and shop in this neighborhood,” will be greatly diminished,” Weimar Construction will occur 24/7 to said Bob Weimar, Interim Executive continued. ensure crews finish on time with Director. “New infrastructure means minimal impact to businesses and less impact by PWSA in the area over PWSA will meet with community visitors. Traffic will remain open, the long-term.” members on March 27 at the Society for but parking along Smallman Street Contemporary Crafts in the Strip District “We want to be sure those will no longer be accessible. PWSA to discuss project details and impact. impacted understand that with new worked with local real estate infrastructure in place, the need to For project updates on Smallman Street, developer Buncher Group and ALCO return to this portion of the Strip in go to pgh2o.com/outages. Parking to have the lot at 15th and

What is GIS (Geographical Information Systems)? Translating large pieces of data into something interactive and visual helps the public understand what an organization does.

Throughout 2018, PWSA will use GIS, or geographic information systems, to show the public the scale of PWSA’s projects, and progress achieved on fixing or replacing ageing infrastructure throughout the service area. GIS takes raw spatial (or location-based) data and uses maps to present it in an interactive way. PWSA currently uses GIS to show residents where they can findcurb box inspection results and lead line replacement sites from its Lead Program as well as the locations of sewersheds throughout the city. GIS has the potential to show customers restoration sites, the number of water main breaks repaired by field services crews, or where green infrastructure sites are being planned. GIS interactive maps are searchable using addresses, and also used for water quality alerts, like boil water advisories.

CURRENTS | March 2018 6 TEAM PWSA

New Hires Paul Leger Takes On New Ronald Brame Role as PWSA Board Project Manager, Engineering and Construction Chairman Brent Lahaie Associate Project Manager Andrew Hildebrand Paul Leger Vactor Operator Chairman, PWSA Board of Directors Adam Chapin Goodwin Electrician Paul Leger was elected to serve as Robert Anderson the new Chariman of PWSA’s Board of Help Desk Technician II Directors at the PWSA Annual Board Ashley Fortson Meeting on Feburary 23. Mr. Leger replaces Debbie Customer Service Representative Lestitian, who was hired as PWSA’s Chief Corporate Counsel and Chief of Administration. Michael Wiegman Customer Service Representative Mr. Leger previously served as the Treasurer of the PWSA Tina Chapple Board of Directors since April 2014, and retired from his Customer Service Representative position as Director of Finance for the City in December 2017. Because of his dedication to the City and its Michelle Short residents, Mayor Peduto reappointed Mr. Leger to the Customer Service Representative Board, effective January 2018 - December 31, 2020, filling Destiny Callwood a vacancy left by the resignation of Mike Weber. Customer Service Representative (Part-Time)

WELCOME ABOARD!

Job Postings Interested in working with us? PWSA is looking for dedicated people to join our team.

Director of Engineering & Construction Systems Administrator Director of Water Production Remote Network Interface Data Analyst Deputy Director of Finance Clerical Specialist II Senior Contract Specialist Customer Service Representative - Full Time Senior Manager, Capital Projects Customer Service Representative - Part Time Senior Manager, Lead Projects Safety Intern Accounting Specialist

Visit www.pgh2o.com/employment to learn more.

CURRENTS | March 2018 7 TEAM PWSA

PWSA Employee Spotlight Tracy Willy, Billing and Metering Analyst, explains the importance of real-time meter reads and recent billing improvements.

There are many layers to PWSA’s accounts. After a two-year departure billing process, and it all starts with from PWSA, she came back to work an actual read from a customer’s in the Billing Division of Customer water meter. PWSA manages slightly Service, then moved to Collections more than 80,000 water accounts and had the opportunity to work on and, on average, pulls real-time the implementation of the our billing meter reads from 95 percent of system. The AMI implementation soon reduction from last year. In January those accounts. Approximately two followed. 2017, 1,049 customers had not years ago, we began transitioning Tracy enjoys the variety of work received a bill, and now, within to an automated metering she has done at PWSA. She has the last 30-days, this number has infrastructure (AMI), which included experience in all areas of customer reduced to 30 accounts – a 97 upgrading customers’ water meters service and billing, and she continues percent reduction! to a device that provides two-way to interact with commercial customers Many of these unbilled accounts communication between PWSA and and partner agencies, such as the meter. were sewage-only customers that ALCOSAN and Jordan Tax Service, receive their water from other Tracy Willy, an Analyst in PWSA’s Inc. She is a “Jill of all trades” providers. Even though PWSA does Customer Service department, has managing projects and overseeing a not manage these meters, bills can been at the helm of this project staff of two and a contractor to assist be delayed for a variety of reasons. since its inception. Now that most with the ongoing AMI roll-out and If we do not receive a read in a of our customers are using an upkeep. She’s an integral member timely fashion, there will be a delay, automated meter, a good portion of the Customer Service team and but there can also be an issue with of her time is spent managing provides ongoing support throughout the account that is not allowing us and tracking the accuracy of the the department. to generate a bill. meter readings, following up on Getting customers onto automated PWSA is getting closer to achieving abandoned accounts, and a myriad meters is crucially important to provide of other billing-related projects. 100 percent billing accuracy and the assurance that we are issuing obtaining real-time readings from “Automated meters benefit accurate and timely bills. If we are the water meter is an important everyone,” Tracy stated. “We can not able to obtain an actual reading, first step in this process. To get an actual read that shows a statement will appear on your bill help achieve this goal, several real-time water consumption, explaining that it is based on an initiatives are taking place within which improves the accuracy of a estimate. In this instance, customers the Billing Division this year, which customer’s bill. We can get reads should call PWSA to determine the include internal promotions to every hour, and if a meter is failing necessary corrections. fill key positions, cross-training or a customer notices a change in Additionally, the AMI software also to strengthen the pre-bill editing their bill, we can log into the system allows us to run reports for unbilled process, bringing billing of sewage- to see what’s going on.” accounts each week. The reports only accounts in-house to eliminate Tracy began working with PWSA are necessary to ensure that every the cost of contractors, training 18 years ago and was first hired customer receives a monthly bill with the Pennsylvania Public Utility to reconcile delinquent sewage from PWSA. Under Tracy’s analytical Comission (PUC) to meet State accounts. At the time, she was leadership, the number of unbilled billing requirements, and tracking the only person handling these accounts has seen a dramatic new metrics to present to the public.

Visit www.pgh2o.com/employment to learn more.

CURRENTS | March 2018 8 WATER WISE Earth Day Edition - April 22

Stormwater Tip Giving your home a “blue upgrade” can have Water Wise a long-lasting impact when it comes to saving Clean source water is essential to our waters from stormwater pollution. our drinking supply. Helps us keep our waters clean by following a few tips:

• Ditch the plastic bottles - 80 percent of plastic water bottles end up in landfills, Start a compost pile polluting local rivers and streams, and harming wildlife. • Minimize chemical use - Use natural products to avoid sending chemicals down drains and into the rivers. • Grow native! - Native plants naturally protect the environment and water. • Plant trees - forests capture six times more rain than grass, and 20 times more Eliminate pesticides than pavement. • Prevent polluted runoff - runoff is the fastest growing pollutant in our rivers. • Inspire change! - Get involved and join a movement for clean water.

Install a rain barrel

CURRENTS | March 2018 9 PWSA CONNECT Board of Directors

Paul Leger Stay in Touch with PWSA! Chairman Margaret Lanier Subscribe to our mailing list to receive press Vice Chairperson releases and community announcements. Jim Turner Secretary Deb Gross Assistant Secretary Chatón Turner Member

Executive Leadership

Robert A. Weimar Interim Executive Director Debbie Lestitian Chief of Corporate Counsel and Administration Barry King PWSA is using Constant Contact to send press releases and Interim Director of Engineering other announcements. Please take a minute to join our mailing Kent Lindsay list at pgh2o.com/subscribe to receive press releases, our Director of Finance monthly newsletter, and other announcements you won't want to miss. Our goal is to establish an ongoing dialogue Kate Mechler Senior Project Manager with customers and the Pittsburgh community about water and sewer services. Subscribing to our email list is the easiest Kelly Morgano way to stay informed. Simply provide your email Human Resources Manager address to begin receiving PWSA news directly to Rick Obermeier your inbox. We will send all announcements from Director of Field Services [email protected]—please add us to Will Pickering your inbox. Senior Communications Manager Julie Quigley Director of Administration

PWSA wants to have an ongoing dialogue with our customers Penn Libery Plaza 1 and the Pittsburgh community. One of the easiest ways to 1200 Penn Avenue Pittsburgh PA 15222 share information is on social media and through our new email subscription. Join us in any or all of the following ways to [email protected] receive the latest about water and sewer services, projects and T 412.255.2423 initiatives, our newsletter, and announcements. F 412.255.2475

pgh2o.com/subscribe @pgh2o Customer Service/ Emergencies facebook.com/pgh2o nextdoor.com 412.255.2423