Pittsburgh Water's Diversity Program Manager Emily Pontarelli (left) connecting with Ashley Brehm (center) of Markosky Engineering, a woman-owned consulting firm, at the 2024 Water Reliability Plan outreach event.
Pittsburgh Water recently released its 2024 Supplier Diversity Program Report, highlighting an impressive year of partnering and contracting with diverse businesses.
In 2024, Pittsburgh Water spent $105.4 million of capital funds with 68 minority, women, and disadvantaged business enterprises (MWDBE), representing a 179% increase in spending compared to 2023. Over $7 million of this investment benefited minority and small businesses, with veteran and women-owned businesses securing significant prime contracts. Furthermore, Pittsburgh Water’s commitment to MWDBE initiatives resulted in $171 million in regional economic output, underscoring its role in driving economic growth. More detailed statistics are available in the Annual Supplier Diversity Report, now available online.
"Our commitment to supplier diversity is reflected by our $105.4 million in spend with 68 disadvantaged vendors last year,” said Pittsburgh Water CEO Will Pickering. “These partnerships with minority, women, veteran, and small business enterprises boost innovation, drive inclusivity, and strengthen economic growth in our communities."
Regional Disparity Study
Building on this momentum, on Wednesday, April 9, Pittsburgh Water celebrated the official launch of the Regional Disparity Study in partnership with the City of Pittsburgh. This collaborative effort aims to identify gaps in services for small and minority-owned businesses.
Over the coming months, MGT, the consultant conducting the study, will embark on a comprehensive data collection and analysis process to uncover gaps and opportunities for improvement. Pittsburgh Water will contribute to this important study by providing data, participating in interviews, and encouraging its vendors to join the effort. The study’s findings will serve as a foundation for shaping organizational policies and enhancing the programs tailored to meet the needs of diverse businesses across the region.
Program Outreach
Pittsburgh Water is offering additional networking and engagement opportunities for diverse suppliers. With the launch of Intros and Insights, consultants are now able to connect directly with Pittsburgh Water’s engineering team to present their capabilities. Firms can easily request a meeting time through an online interest form. Vendors and consultants can additionally schedule meetings directly with Pittsburgh Water's Diversity Program Manager. These enhancements complement Pittsburgh Water’s robust outreach program, which hosted and participated in ten events in 2024, reaching over 1,000 attendees.
To stay informed about procurement opportunities and events, vendors are encouraged to sign up for Pittsburgh Water's announcements on Bonfire. While registering, MWDBE vendors can subscribe to the mailing list to receive updates about networking opportunities and additional resources.
