Pittsburgh, PA – Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) recently took home two honors at the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC/PA) Diamond Awards.
Our sewer project teams were recognized for their industry-best management practices and productive working relationships on large-scale sewer rehabilitation work. Toby Stutzman, Senior Group Manager, Wastewater Program, attended to accept the Client of Distinction on behalf of PWSA. Additionally, the 2020 Large Diameter Sewer Rehabilitation project was recognized with the engineering excellence award within the Waste and Stormwater project category. This award was accepted by the design consultant GPD and PWSA.
“Being responsive and collaborative when executing our capital improvement plans ensures we’re fostering productive, long-term relationships with our consultants, and also delivering safe, reliable water, sewer, and stormwater service for over half a million daily users,” said Stutzman.
PWSA was nominated by our engineering consultant, GPD Group, for the Client of Distinction Award. GDP’s management team recognized PWSA’s fair business practices with consulting firms, including straightforward procurement practices, transparent project expectations, and ample information on our website about upcoming capital improvement projects so consulting firms can plan accordingly to bid work. Being a good partner in work means PWSA can consistently deliver for their customers on these complex and high-dollar jobs.
"It is an honor to congratulate PWSA on winning the Pennsylvania ACEC Client of Distinction Award as well as their recognition in the waste and stormwater project category,” said Edward Reese, Pennsylvania Water Lead for GPD Group. “Their unwavering commitment to fair business practices and collaboration showcases this well-deserved recognition. We are proud and grateful of our partnership with PWSA.”
(from left) Brent Sailhamer, Executive Director of ACEC/PA; Keith Jensen, GPD Group Project Manager; Mora McLaughlin, PWSA Construction Communications Project Manager; Toby Stutzman of PWSA; and Ed Reese of GPD Group, Pennsylvania Water Lead
The Engineering Excellence Award recognized PWSA’s Large Diameter Sewer Main Project, which was designed in partnership with GPD Group. This $1.4 million PENNVEST-funded project rehabilitated large sewer pipes, including one located in the Pittsburgh Zoo, that are aging and difficult to take offline for extensive repairs. The rehabilitation process was carefully planned and sequenced as to not disrupt sewer service for customers, all while adding years of life to these large pieces of infrastructure.
ACEC is a national professional organization for engineering firms, with a focus on those who work with transportation and public agencies. They represent 120 engineering firms and 11,000 engineers, land surveyors, scientists, technicians, and other professionals across Pennsylvania.
“I am proud of our sewer project teams for their dedication to first-class project management,” said PWSA CEO Will Pickering. “Delivering high-quality work, on time and on budget, means our customers can rely on their sewer infrastructure and trust that we are using their dollars effectively,” he continued.
With over $100 million in planned capital improvement work every year, PWSA relies on professional service groups, like engineering consultants, to executive complex and time-consuming projects, acting as on-site experts as our critical infrastructure is being upgraded. Building trusted working relationship with consulting firms is a key to our performance as a first-class utility.
For more information on upcoming PWSA work, including other sewer rehabilitation projects, visit our website.
