Meeting the Mandate
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April 2018 IN THIS ISSUE: MEETING THE MANDATE 1 Meeting the Mandate PWSA’s Lead Line Replacement Team is Growing 2 RAW talk 3 PWSA In the Community Engineering and Construction Management 6 PWSA In the News 7 Engineering and Each replacement Construction operates as its own mini Team PWSA engineering project – 8 requiring coordination with 10 Water Wise homeowners, contractors, 11 PWSA Connect inspectors, water quality laboratories, and City, County, COMING UP: There are new faces at encouraging them to allow and State stakeholders. 2018 Board Meeting Dates PWSA. As construction PWSA contractors to replace Replacing 2,100 lines in less May 18, June 22, July 27 season begins, PWSA is their private line at the than a year means PWSA Wightman Park GI Project bringing in more professional same time as the public line must use as many as six Community Meeting staff to support our most replacement. We’re excited contractors, each with multiple April 23 Carriage House unique project ever. The to announce that two PWSA crews, to perform the work. scale of the $44 million employees were recently To complicate matters even Maryland Avenue GI Project Community Meeting project, and the moving promoted to join this very busy more, each replacement April 24 parts within it, required group. They can be reached site has unique conditions Winchester-Thurston Upper School PWSA to create a team of at [email protected] or like soil type, topography, 24 experienced staff and 412.255.8987. and private property Swisshelm Park Group April 25 conditions like driveways, consultants to meet the Data and Records Sarah Jackson Black and basement and retaining Community Center Pennsylvania Department Management of Environmental Protection walls. PWSA’s engineering and Banksville Civic Association (DEP) mandate to replace Removing lead service lines construction managers must April 26 Banksville Park Shelter 2,100 lead service lines from our system is more coordinate with contractors by the end of 2018. This sophisticated than digging and inspectors in the field Uptown Partners of Pittsburgh growing group will manage holes and laying pipe. Each to ensure that each job May 2 the program areas below. replacement site has layers site meets our standards, Life’s Work of data including historical while also makings sure Lead Help Desk South Side Planning Forum material records, curb box replacements happen on time May 8 Brashear Center The Lead Help Desk is the inspection results, and and on budget. Liaisons in the central hub for customers customer account information. field will also make sure each Manchester Citizens Corporation involved in the lead Each replacement site is replacement site receives May 10 service line replacement mapped using geographic a water test kit, certified 1319 Allegheny Ave. program. In addition to information system (GIS) filter and water pitcher and Allegheny City Central answering questions technology and will be updated post-construction flushing Association May 14 from the public, they’re after each replacement. PWSA guidance. City of Asylum responsible for contacting makes this data available to eligible homeowners and the public at pgh2o.com/CBI Find more information about Mt. Washington Community this program at pgh2o. Development Corporation and will continue to add more May 17 com/replacing-your-lead- Mt. Washington Senior information as the program Center continues. serviceline. RAW TALK RAW TALK By Interim Executive Director Robert A. Weimar Getting Stuff Done for our Customers in Need I’ve attended 10 meetings this year Winter Shut Off Moratorium feedback from our customers as part of our #GetToKnowPgh2o Maintaining water service can be and stakeholders. We recognize speaking tour. As I make my way particularly important during cold the burden that increasing water through Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods, winter months. Customers who and sewer rates may have on our I hear that that many residents are receive a termination notice for lack neighbors with limited income, and concerned about the cost of water, of payment, and are at or below we intend to sustain these programs sewer and stormwater services. 250% of the Federal Poverty Level, in the future. We recognize our Even though our rates reflect our are eligible to enroll in this program. responsibility to balance affordability costs, and are similar to other The moratorium was approved by and the need to invest in our aging drinking water utilities, some of our the Board last October for the period water system. PWSA will seek neighbors struggle to stay current of December 1st through March all sources of federal and state with their bills. With this reality 31st each year. Eligible customers funding to minimize the burden on in mind, our Board of Directors receive payment counseling to ratepayers, and are committed to tasked PWSA staff to develop a address their unpaid PWSA charges. only investing in the areas required comprehensive strategy to lend During this past season, 1,695 to make PWSA the water, sewer and a hand to our most vulnerable customers took advantage of the stormwater utility Pittsburgh expects customers. winter shut off moratorium. and deserves. I am proud to announce that, in Hardship Program less than a year, PWSA established four distinct customer assistance To address financial hardship offerings. These programs are in emergencies, this program provides addition to the customer service one-time assistance grants that are process enhancements recently applied directly to a limited-income made as part of PWSA’s transition household’s water bill. Grant funding to Pennsylvania Public Utility up to $300 per year is available on Commission (PUC) oversight. These a first-come first-served basis for programs are being implemented in households at or below 150% of the collaboration with the Dollar Energy Federal Poverty Level. Fund Inc who administers the Private Lead Line Replacement programs outlined below. Eligible Community Environmental Project customers can enroll by calling Dollar Energy at 866-762-2348. Funds for this program are available from a $1.8 million settlement of an Bill Discount Program enforcement action between PWSA This program is eligible to residential and the Pennsylvania Department of customers who are at or below 150% Environmental Protection. This grant of the Federal Poverty Level. Eligible program will be limited to customers customers receive a 50% reduction at or below 250% of the Federal of their fixed monthly water and Poverty Level. This program will fund sewer conveyance charges. To approximately 200 private lead line date, PWSA and Dollar Energy have replacements. enrolled 1,881 customers in the Bill These programs have been Discount Program. implemented in response to CURRENTS | April 2018 2 PWSA IN THE COMMUNITY #GetToKnowPgh2o! Expanding our message to business and political leaders PWSA IN THE Throughout 2018, the Pittsburgh provided an opportunity for Mr. COMMUNITY Water and Sewer Authority is Weimar to share our successes meeting with community groups with political leaders and build Community Stormwater throughout Pittsburgh to discuss awareness about the ways PWSA is Roundtables: the progress of PWSA as well as its transforming as an organization and March 27, Homewood Library priorities and challenges. While most improving the way we are delivering April 11, EEOC Larimer of these meetings are with residents, water, sewer, and stormwater April 25, GTECH Strategies we had the opportunity to expand services to our customers. Lawrenceville 6th Ward Block our reach this month and attended On Saturday, April 14th, Mr. Weimar Watch meetings addressing the needs and was back talking to community March 26 concerns of commercial developers groups and met with the Lincoln- St. Augustine Parish and local legislatures. Lemington Community Consensus On Wednesday, April 11th Interim Group. This informal discussion Smallman Street Water and Executive Director Robert Weimar answered questions about replacing Sewer Project Meeting met with the Building Owners and lead lines, the Customer Assistance March 27 Managers Association (BOMA) of Program, and green infrastructure Society for Contemporary Crafts Pittsburgh. During a continuing projects. education session with local Meeting with local community, 9th Annual Golden Luncheon developers, he provided an business, and political stakeholders April 2 overview of PWSA that included is an important way to establish trust River’s Casino Ballroom information about our requirements and build relationships throughout for developers and key projects for Pittsburgh. We appreciate the Woods Run Mairdale Avenue 2018. opportunity to meet with these Stormwater Project Meeting The following evening, Thursday, organizations and hope that April 5 April 12th, PWSA was invited by the everyone will take the time to Perry High School Mayor’s Office to attend a meeting #GetToKnowPgh2o. with state legislatures. This event Lawrenceville 10th Ward Block Watch April 10 Goodwill Workforce Development Center Civic Leadership Academy April 11 PWSA Water Treatment Plant Lincoln-Lemington Community Consensus Group April 14 Paulson Recreation Center Stanton Heights Neighborhood Association April 18 Sunnyside Elementary Bob Weimar speaks to Lincoln-Lemington Residents atteh Paulson Recreation Center CURRENTS | April 2018 3 PWSA IN THE COMMUNITY OnePGH Initiative PWSA participates in collaborative City initiative PWSA is participating in the City of Pittsburgh’s PWSA participated in the Critical Infrastructure