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
  • Projects & Maintenance
    • Projects & Maintenance Overview
    • Service Outages
    • Search All Projects
    • Planning & Future Projects
    • Construction Projects
    • 2020 Water Main Replacement
    • Common Issues & Questions
  • Your Water
    • Your Water Overview
    • Water
    • Sewer
    • Stormwater
    • Our Service Area
    • Water Quality & Treatment
    • Lead Information
    • Educational Resources & Videos
    • National Water Sector Events
  • About Us
    • About Us Overview
    • Board & Board Meetings
    • Our Team
    • Careers
    • Finance
    • Our History
    • Rules & Regulations
    • Performance
    • 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. Press Releases
  5. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Invites PWSA to Apply for WIFIA Water Infrastructure Loan

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Invites PWSA to Apply for WIFIA Water Infrastructure Loan

01/12/2021
PWSA’s critical water infrastructure projects rose to the top among a pool of 67 first-round applicants.
Homewood water main replacement The Clearwell, originally constructed in 1908, will be completely restored and is one of several projects identified in our 2021-2025 Capital Improvement Program to improve critical water infrastructure.

Pittsburgh, PA - Today the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) was invited by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to apply for a Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan. If approved, it would provide 49% of the funding needed for critical water infrastructure projects that would lead to the complete restoration of the Clearwell, a large, century old water storage facility. 

After submitting a letter of interest in October, PWSA was one of 55 applicants invited to move to the next round for these competitive federal loans. The WIFIA program, established in 2014, funds water infrastructure improvements across the country focused on improving water quality, creating jobs, and ensuring access to clean and safe drinking water.

“We are proud of this recognition from the EPA and appreciate the opportunity to advance to the application process,” stated Ed Barca, PWSA’s Director of Finance. “WIFIA funding is highly competitive and our formal application will continue to demonstrate the significance of these projects.”

If PWSA’s application is approved, the low-interest loan would provide approximately $127,901,498 to fund a series of once-in-a-generation projects to renew key components of our water production and distribution systems. These projects will strengthen our water system, add needed redundancy, and ensure an uninterrupted supply of quality water. The capital projects that make up our plan culminate with the restoration of the Clearwell and includes rehabilitating the Aspinwall and Bruecken Pump Stations, replacing reservoir liners and cover systems, updating electrical and backup power systems, restoring pump stations, and repairing or replacing various large-diameter water mains throughout the system. 

These critical projects, which total nearly $250 million, are a significant part of our $1.2 billion Capital Improvement Program. We are seeking other funding sources to support the remaining cost of these projects. 

Criteria used by the EPA to evaluate projects include project readiness, credit worthiness, and national or regional impact of the project. Our critical water infrastructure projects stood out among 67 letters of interest requesting more than $9 billion and was selected to move forward due to water quality improvements that will benefit our drinking water customers, ability to meet water quality regulations, create jobs, and support the growth of Pittsburgh’s local economy. 

“PWSA is embarking upon the largest capital investment in its history. Securing low interest state and federal loans will help to reduce long term costs to our ratepayers,” stated Will Pickering, PWSA’s Chief Executive Officer. “As a publicly owned and controlled utility, every dollar is reinvested back into the water system, and we will continue to pursue opportunities like WIFIA to keep rates as affordable as possible.”
 

Print This Page
Share
  • email
  • twitter
  • facebook

Related Press Releases

PWSA contractor replaces lead service line in a Pittsburgh neighborhood in early 2020.

Press Release

PWSA Files Rate Request with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission

04/13/2021 -
On April 13, 2021, PWSA filed a rate request with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) that, if approved, would provide the necessary additional funding to continue the investment that is needed to improve the safety and reliability of our water systems, advance stormwater solutions, and provide enhanced protections for our most vulnerable customers.
Heeron Hill Pump Station shortly after construction in 1896.

Press Release

The Herron Hill Pump Station Granted Historic Landmark Designation

04/13/2021 -
Preservation Pittsburgh led efforts to nominate the property in collaboration with PWSA.

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
  • Careers
  • 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 © 2021 Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority
Powered by Interpersonal Frequency I.F. Logo