Hello Neighbors! *Below is a notice from PWSA regarding an Administrative Order that has been issued by the PA Department of Environmental Projection (DEP)* concerning several critical improvements to our public drinking water system. *One of the items included in the Administrative Order will require PWSA to bring the Highland Park Reservoir #1 (the open air reservoir in the middle of the park) back online*. PWSA has been bypassing the Reservoir since February as a result of low chlorine levels that prompted a precautionary flush and boil advisory. *The order requires PWSA to either: * 1)* install an ultraviolet light (UV) disinfection system within the Microfiltration Plant *(the red brick building connected to the reservoir), *or * 2) *cover the reservoir, *similar to the covering on Highland Park Reservoir #2 (the covered reservoir adjacent to One Wild Place, Mellon Street, and Mellon Terrace). DEP has given PWSA until November 30th to prepare and submit a plan in response to the Administrative Order.* PWSA has indicated in the notice below that it is their intention to pursue the UV disinfection option, which would allow the reservoir to remain uncovered.* This is consistent with the approach that PWSA discussed at a community meeting earlier this year. The HPCC is in communication with PWSA and will continue to monitor this situation and keep the community informed. Stay tuned to the listserv, our website <https://hpccpgh.org/>, and our facebook page <https://www.facebook.com/HPCCPGH/> for further updates. I'd like to thank PWSA, Councilwoman Gross, and the Mayor's office for working with us on this important issue. Best, Jake Pawlak HPCC President [image: PWSA Logo] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 25, 2017 Media Contact: Will Pickering Phone: (412) 657-4031 communications@pgh2o.com PWSA Expedites Three Water System Improvement Projects in Cooperation with DEP Pittsburgh, PA – Today, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) issued an Administrative Order <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0014M3q7DQZQATZFIfru9JbDz9Jcm7N7ABBLjO0U2eEAhL605iyIjoI6Q1a1Ji0W_UWJR5ykk93Ub8e5Y_xXu1VdUMuoeuWVSdRACL5wlDYoF_gKz800RJOEPVboHAknF4MJhkhPGPm4NhZ-tqS8Ih4UoUmxIkQgwHKDerINClD3tbruBGBRaQloRUEZLxEnJDUum0Qdl_gin15bXu69VjB2bqZFIwm9hYd2D8IIyvijwSeQSpxvABxfN3HgtHPBvhJeNM5b2ht86T1Oo0i5iwAJg==&c=m_ZSGFLpJMm8F5hi5SX37V7A75kwo1H_pQTcDXZWAx_CurWmjcbDZg==&ch=pHvTP9hQ7JwUCEsFsWLObnoCLFTqpaPO1R8NfHPaPVJABQIAOPr-Vw==> to the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) to expedite three critical water system improvement projects. All three projects are budgeted, identified by PWSA as priority capital projects, and are planned for design and construction. "We welcome this order, which continues our work with the EPA and DEP to fully and transparently tackle the challenges facing our water system, and make the long-term investments the system has needed for years. Working together we're doing all we can to make sure our residents are getting the clean and safe water they deserve," Mayor William Peduto said. The Order was in response to several collaborative engagements between PWSA and officials from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and DEP as part of their comprehensive performance evaluation conducted in September 2017. The three major projects identified in the DEP Order are: 1. Rehabilitation of the Lanpher reservoir. This project will include the construction of a new liner and cover for the 133 million gallon treated drinking water reservoir. PWSA began work on the liner and cover replacement projects on September 19, 2017. 2. Upgrading the microfiltration water treatment plant at Highland Reservoir #1 to include ultraviolet (UV) disinfection, or covering the open water reservoir in Highland Park. PWSA plans to pursue adding a UV treatment system due to the length of time it would take to cover the reservoir. Highland Park Reservoir #1 has been offline since February 2017 due to DEP concerns regarding the microfiltration plant’s regulatory compliance with drinking water regulations. 3. Improvements to the Bruecken Pump Station standby power and new pumping equipment. The Bruecken Pump Station distributes treated drinking water from PWSA’s Aspinwall Water Treatment Plant to eastern and southern areas of PWSA’s service area in the City of Pittsburgh. These improvements are to ensure adequate water supply and redundancy in instances of power loss or pump failure. In addition, the Administrative Order requires PWSA to submit a detailed long-term capital improvement program to DEP, and install water pressure sensors in locations that identified to experience low pressure. PWSA Interim Executive Director Robert A. Weimar said, “PWSA is committed to completing these three projects as soon as humanly possible. This Order further endorses our existing system improvement program.” “We appreciate EPA and DEP’s work to ensure safe drinking water for our residents, and look forward to working with them collaboratively to expedite these critical projects. By working together, we can restore PWSA to the water utility that Pittsburgh expects and deserves,” said PWSA Board Chairperson Debbie Lestitian. PWSA will keep the public informed about the progress of these projects in its monthly newsletter, media releases, and social media engagement. #### About Us 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. <http://www.pgh2o.com/> The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority | 1200 Penn Avenue <https://maps.google.com/?q=1200+Penn+Avenue,+Pittsburgh,+PA+15222%0D+(412&entry=gmail&source=g>, <https://maps.google.com/?q=1200+Penn+Avenue,+Pittsburgh,+PA+15222%0D+(412&entry=gmail&source=g>Pittsburgh, PA 15222 <https://maps.google.com/?q=1200+Penn+Avenue,+Pittsburgh,+PA+15222%0D+(412&entry=gmail&source=g> (412) 255-2423 | www.pgh2o.com Unsubscribe <https://visitor.constantcontact.com/do?p=un&m=0011ey_bw22iumGv6I5km1DSw%3D&ch=f96d0f80-829d-11e7-b392-d4ae5284344f&ca=7861134a-8bcf-4c43-9c30-0ecf8bc39dea> Update Profile <https://visitor.constantcontact.com/do?p=oo&m=0011ey_bw22iumGv6I5km1DSw%3D&ch=f96d0f80-829d-11e7-b392-d4ae5284344f&ca=7861134a-8bcf-4c43-9c30-0ecf8bc39dea> | About our service provider <http://www.constantcontact.com/legal/service-provider?cc=about-service-provider> Sent by communications@pgh2o.com <https://www.facebook.com/PgH2O/> <https://twitter.com/pgh2o>