Skip to main content

NOTICE

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our downtown office at 1200 Penn Avenue is closed until further notice.

Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority

Home
  • Residential & Commercial Customers
    • Residential & Commercial Customers Overview
    • Account & Billing Info
    • Rates
    • Service Changes
    • Buying or Selling Property
    • Customer Assistance Programs
    • Pipe Ownership
    • Backflow Device Testing
    • Tips, Maintenance & Prevention
  • Developers, Contractors & Vendors
    • Developers, Contractors & Vendors Overview
    • Bids & Opportunities
    • Supplier Diversity Program
    • Permits
    • Developer's Manual & Standard Details
    • 2022 Business Development Series
  • Projects & Maintenance
    • Projects & Maintenance Overview
    • Service Outages
    • Search All Projects
    • Planning & Future Projects
    • Construction Projects
    • 2022 Water Main Replacement
    • 2022 Lead Line Replacement Programs
    • Common Issues & Questions
  • Your Water
    • Your Water Overview
    • Water
    • Water Quality & Treatment
    • Water Reliability Plan
    • Sewer
    • Stormwater
    • Our Service Area
    • Lead Information
    • Educational Resources & Videos
    • National Water Sector Events
  • About Us
    • About Us Overview
    • Board & Board Meetings
    • Executive Leadership
    • Mission, Vision and Core Values
    • Careers
    • Finance
    • Environmental Compliance
    • Performance
    • Rules & Regulations
    • Contact Us
  • News & Events
    • News & Events Overview
    • Currents Newsletter
    • Press Releases
    • Events & Meetings
  • Search

What can we help you find?

Report an Issue Pay a Bill
Don't have an account?
Sign up now
Other ways to pay
Don't have an account?
Sign up now
Learn how to set up usage alerts

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. News & Events
  3. Newsletter & Press
  4. Currents Newsletter
  5. Director's Cut: One Water Approach

Director's Cut: One Water Approach

09/2021
PWSA’s Recent Rate Settlement Reflects “One Water” Approach
Saw Mill Run Stream Restoration site The restored storm sewer outfalls and streambank by Ansonia Place.

From drinking water, wastewater, and now stormwater to affordability, equity, and assistance for our most financially vulnerable customers, our recent rate settlement signifies the complexity of a modern water utility.  

In recent years, the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority has steadily increased investment in critical water and sewer projects and has developed a robust customer assistance program. With the new stormwater fee, slated to go into effect in early 2022, we will establish a dedicated funding source to improve stormwater management and deliver these necessary services in a more equitable way. 

Some of the funding generated by the stormwater fee will be used to construct new stormwater infrastructure. Over time, the benefits of this investment will show up in ways that improve the functionality of our sewer system, reduce pollution in local waterways, and positively affect the quality of water we drink.  

How is that possible? When it rains, our sewer system is frequently overwhelmed causing sewage to spill into rivers, which are the primary source of drinking water for us and our downstream neighbors. Since water is a finite resource, even in a water rich region such as Pittsburgh, we want to encourage a “One Water” mindset which asks all of us to value water in all its states — whether its clean drinking water from the tap, rain falling in the river, or wastewater flowing in a sewer.  

We need to manage water at every stage and ensure that everyone has equitable access to this essential resource. 

The new stormwater fee will be based on a property's impervious or hard surface, which is a more equitable way to charge for stormwater than charging based on metered water usage. The average amount of impervious surface on a property in Pittsburgh is 1,650 square feet. This is equal to one equivalent residential unit (ERU) of impervious surface.  

Approximately 70% of all homeowners fall into the second residential tier, or one ERU. Non-residential customers will also be billed based on the ERU system. When the new rates go into effect in early 2022, the typical residential customer currently paying $79.34 per month would see an increase of $5.65 per month, to $84.99.

The stormwater fee also includes a credits and incentives program for residential and non-residential customers who build projects to manage stormwater on their property. We also are seeking an 85% discount for income-eligible customers enrolled in the Bill Discount Program so people who are least able to afford this new fee are not overly burdened. Additionally, the settlement continues to expand existing customer assistance programs to ensure no one has to choose between paying their water bill and other essential expenses.  

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission is reviewing the settlement and expected to make a final decision on or before December 16, 2021. 

For more information, please visit Pgh2o.com/our-water-future.

A table depicting the tiers of the stormwater fee
Print This Page
Share
  • email
  • twitter
  • facebook

Related Newsletters

A rain barrel

Newsletter

Water Wise: Spring Cleaning for Green Infrastructure

04/2022 -
If you have green infrastructure on your property, follow these deep-cleaning tips to prepare for spring rains.
Business development series flyer thumbnail

Newsletter

Development Report: Register for Our Business Development Series

04/2022 -
Small and minority-owned business owners, developers, consultants, engineering firms, and contractors are invited to register for PWSA's 2022 Business Development Series.

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Media Kit & Contacts

Media Kit


24/7 Media Line
412-430-3898
 

PGH2O

Contact Us

412-255-2423
Report an Emergency Press 1
Customer Service Press 5

Send us a Message

1200 Penn Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Follow Us

Footer First Column

  • Check Your Usage
  • Update Your Contact Info
  • Service Outages
  • Rules & Regulations

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Footer Second Column

  • Residential & Commercial Customers
  • Developers, Contractors & Vendors
  • Projects & Maintenance
  • Your Water
  • About Us
  • News & Events
Copyright © 2022 Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority
Powered by Interpersonal Frequency I.F. Logo