Skip to main content

Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority

Home
  • Residential & Commercial Customers
    • Residential & Commercial Customers Overview
    • Account & Billing Info
    • Rates
    • Customer Assistance Programs
    • Service Changes
    • Buying or Selling Property
    • Pipe Ownership
    • Backflow Device Testing
    • Tips, Maintenance & Prevention
  • Developers, Contractors & Vendors
    • Developers, Contractors & Vendors Overview
    • Bids & Opportunities
    • Consultant Outreach
    • 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
    • Water Main Replacement
    • Lead Line Replacement Programs
    • Common Issues & Questions
  • Your Water
    • Your Water Overview
    • Water
    • Water Quality & Treatment
    • Water Reliability Plan
    • Water Equity
    • Sewer
    • Stormwater
    • Our Service Area
    • Lead Information
    • Educational Resources
  • About Us
    • About Us Overview
    • Board & Board Meetings
    • Executive Leadership
    • Mission, Vision and Core Values
    • Tap Into Pittsburgh Water
    • Careers
    • Finance
    • Environmental Compliance
    • Year in Review
    • Rules & Regulations
    • Contact Us
  • News & Events
    • News & Events Overview
    • Press Releases
    • Newsletter Articles
    • Events & Meetings
  • Search

What can we help you find?

Service Outages
Report an Issue
My Account
Don't have an account?
Sign up now
Other ways to pay

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. News & Events
  3. Newsletter & Press
  4. Newsletter Articles
  5. PWSA Completes First Water Reliability Plan Project

PWSA Completes First Water Reliability Plan Project

Highland II Reservoir Returns to Service After $24 Million Upgrade
Water Reliability Plan graphic

PWSA recently reinstated its 125 million-gallon covered reservoir after replacing the liner and cover. This nine-month project, the largest of its kind in North America in 2022, ensured the reliability and security of the reservoir, something that will play a key role in the Water Reliability Plan.

Constructed between 1897 and 1903, the Highland II Reservoir supplies water to portions of Squirrel Hill, Downtown, South Side, and West End, making it a crucial part of our water distribution system. PWSA drained the reservoir, removed the previous materials, and installed a new liner, floating cover and supplemental equipment, like rainwater removal pumps. This work will add 25 more years of service to the structure and improve its reliability as other Water Reliability Plan projects take place.

The Water Reliability Plan culminates with the complete restoration of the century-old Clearwell. This structure, located at the Water Treatment Plant, in Aspinwall, puts treated water in contact with chlorine to kill any bacteria and pathogens in the water, making it safe to drink. Because this is a singular feature of our system, alternate clearwells, like the Highland II Reservoir, will be established while it is taken offline for work.

The Rising Main 3 Rehabilitation, which revitalized a large-diameter pipe that moves water into the Highland Park Reservoir system, was the first Water Reliability Plan project completed this year. Work is already underway on the next phase of projects. In late 2022, PWSA began constructing the Rising Main 4 Rehabilitation and Replacement project and in 2023 will begin constructing the Highland Reservoir Pump Station and Rising Main Replacement. As these projects come to completion, construction of the remaining projects will begin in sequential order. These include the Aspinwall and Bruecken Pump Station Improvements, the Lanpher Rising Main Construction, Lanpher Reservoir Improvements, Clearwell Bypass Project, and Clearwell Replacement.

Please watch our cool and informative video about this project here. To learn even more about the Water Reliability Plan and the history of Pittsburgh drinking water system, visit our Water Reliability Plan website.

Print This Page
Share
  • email
  • twitter
  • facebook

Related Newsletters

Bunny-Grams

Newsletter

Pittsburgh Water Employees Raise Nearly $5,000 for Hardship Grant Program

04/2025 -
Pittsburgh Water employees coming together to support our most vulnerable customers.
Photo of a flooded basement area with a ball sitting in shallow, stagnant water in the background

Newsletter

Water Wise: Protect Your Home and Family from Flooding

04/2025 -
Follow these tips to prepare your family, home, and property in advance of a flood emergency.

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Media Inquiries

Please call our 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
  • Privacy Policy

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Footer Second Column

  • Residential & Commercial Customers
  • Developers, Contractors & Vendors
  • Projects & Maintenance
  • Your Water
  • About Us
  • News & Events
Copyright © 2025 Pittsburgh Water
Powered by Interpersonal Frequency I.F. Logo