August is Sewer Awareness Month in the City of Pittsburgh FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 26, 2021 Media Contact: 412-430-3898 For “Sewer Awareness Month” PWSA Highlights Illegal Dumping in Sewers and Improper Items Flushed and Put Down the Drain August is Sewer Awareness Month in the City of Pittsburgh [image: How to Protect Your Pipes] <https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0013DvK3MsmHHZW4_n-l2W-A5-DO7xf-gJqCE1hlwLH3oD9Oa8PUiXPZEyA_ugmzVys-MY1fDk4rBjHR6Ft0xEmty-tBhBG7L58-QOkWsf8L97amd4KQ-1twI9tlWUiOY74ERvH-EIIe2krkTVQBJw4NzGzj6CZ7MhcoGZCDcT3bFAScxjJpVC8VA==&c=-4bB-6Cy8p-dB0y0uAUNGP7GqI3HV8kOUKl656AdhpJQ9r4g7AWS5Q==&ch=8w0yJA50ddQOad3dgYccTSEK1gYLDNGy6cU_-TeV1bqm8gz-JLZ-6A==> Pittsburgh, PA - Earlier this month, Mayor William Peduto signed a proclamation <https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0013DvK3MsmHHZW4_n-l2W-A5-DO7xf-gJqCE1hlwLH3oD9Oa8PUiXPZF6IlwaBZWDJ-b1wrmotQs5GTfmL6pIGt3KA2aWkDPhasvWTzXeyTXcIHeKsX0_ZdNx84wpRvzHfdB8ST6zn6n6ysYrUCWyVMOfuE5iBxVu_JJFYeF8PfDLd89moUKhctw==&c=-4bB-6Cy8p-dB0y0uAUNGP7GqI3HV8kOUKl656AdhpJQ9r4g7AWS5Q==&ch=8w0yJA50ddQOad3dgYccTSEK1gYLDNGy6cU_-TeV1bqm8gz-JLZ-6A==> declaring August “Sewer Awareness Month” in Pittsburgh. To increase awareness about the challenges facing Pittsburgh’s sewers, Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) is releasing videos and photos about the illegal dumping and improper items flushed down toilets and put down the drain. Will Pickering, CEO of Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority, said: “Sewers are often taken for granted. Most people don’t think about what goes down the drain or flushed down the toilet. But when items enter the sewer that aren’t meant to be there, the results can wreak havoc on a neighborhood and be costly for PWSA to fix.” Kate Mechler, Deputy Director of Engineering said: “PWSA is asking everyone to protect their plumbing and sewers by only flushing things that belong in sewers: toilet paper and human waste.” Wipes are sometimes labeled as “flushable,” but wipes, unlike toilet paper, do not break down once flushed. Wipes will absorb fats, oils, and greases that have entered the sewer system, congeal into hardened boulders, and can form major blockages that prevent stormwater and sanitary wastewater from properly flowing through the system. That is why PWSA is asking all residents and businesses to be mindful to put wipes and fats, oils, and greases in the trash <https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0013DvK3MsmHHZW4_n-l2W-A5-DO7xf-gJqCE1hlwLH3oD9Oa8PUiXPZEyA_ugmzVys-MY1fDk4rBjHR6Ft0xEmty-tBhBG7L58-QOkWsf8L97amd4KQ-1twI9tlWUiOY74ERvH-EIIe2krkTVQBJw4NzGzj6CZ7MhcoGZCDcT3bFAScxjJpVC8VA==&c=-4bB-6Cy8p-dB0y0uAUNGP7GqI3HV8kOUKl656AdhpJQ9r4g7AWS5Q==&ch=8w0yJA50ddQOad3dgYccTSEK1gYLDNGy6cU_-TeV1bqm8gz-JLZ-6A==> – not in the toilet or down the drain. Concrete illegally poured into the sewer system hardens, causes backups, and results in expensive repairs that impact all Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority customers. Mechler continued: “We also have a problem with illegal dumping in sewers, and we’re asking all Pittsburghers to report any improper dumping they see at stormwater grates, manholes, or sewer outfalls. Some concrete and cement companies improperly dispose of cement into our sewers. Even if it is watered down when it enters the system, cement and concrete will harden in the sewers and create blockages that causes wastewater to back up into people’s basements or causes flooding on to streets when it rains.” Fats, oils, and grease, wipes, and items illegally dumped into the sewer system also make it more difficult to treat wastewater. Wastewater is sent from Pittsburgh to the Allegheny County Sanitary Authority (ALCOSAN), located on the Ohio River to treat. Anything other than human waste and toilet paper entering the treatment process can cause equipment to break and introduce contaminants that are more difficult to remove before the water is clarified and released back into the Ohio River. Arletta Scott Williams, Executive Director of ALCOSAN said: “Treating wastewater is the ultimate recycling process - something no one really thinks about. Every day we treat millions of gallons of wastewater that is released back into the Ohio River to become drinking water for another community further downstream. Everyone needs to do their part to provide clean, safe, reliable water.” In addition to the illegal dumping of concrete and cement, PWSA also reports it has found items including hot water heaters, kegs, 55-gallon drums, weapons, and a car axel with four tires still attached in the sewers. PWSA encourages anyone who sees illegal dumping of cement, concrete or any item that doesn’t belong in the sewer, to please call 412-255-2423 right away. Our sewer system is a complex, interconnected network that works hard for every resident, business, and person visiting Pittsburgh and our region. We can all do our part to keep our sewers flowing. Learn more about the history of Pittsburgh’s sewer infrastructure here <https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0013DvK3MsmHHZW4_n-l2W-A5-DO7xf-gJqCE1hlwLH3oD9Oa8PUiXPZF6IlwaBZWDJ5tOuL053hqEGlvUYezVOeFPEOvQ9a0j2yelqHHyUKtHddZdtog4A8bPJuUygciP778ZpHVupCyfCLfjfmoq4dw==&c=-4bB-6Cy8p-dB0y0uAUNGP7GqI3HV8kOUKl656AdhpJQ9r4g7AWS5Q==&ch=8w0yJA50ddQOad3dgYccTSEK1gYLDNGy6cU_-TeV1bqm8gz-JLZ-6A==> . About PWSA 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, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 (412) 255-2423 | www.pgh2o.com Unsubscribe <https://visitor.constantcontact.com/do?p=un&m=0011ey_bw22iumGv6I5km1DSw%3D&ch=dd4711e0-9e9b-11e9-ad1c-d4ae528442b5&ca=40f4836b-9aa2-4df0-92b7-93406bb15254> Update Profile <https://visitor.constantcontact.com/do?p=oo&m=0011ey_bw22iumGv6I5km1DSw%3D&ch=dd4711e0-9e9b-11e9-ad1c-d4ae528442b5&ca=40f4836b-9aa2-4df0-92b7-93406bb15254> | 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>