Pittsburgh, PA – Pittsburgh Water is proud to announce the award of four contracts totaling $193 million for a crucial construction project that is a major component of its comprehensive Water Reliability Plan.
Authorized at today’s Board of Directors meeting, this work will include substantial renovations to the Aspinwall Pump Station, complete replacement of the Bruecken Pump Station, and an in-ground pipeline bypass of the Clearwell at the Water Treatment Plant. These three initiatives, known as the “ABC” project (Aspinwall, Bruecken, Clearwell), will renew key pumping capacity and improve treatment reliability. Completion of the ABC Project will result in safer, more reliable water service for Pittsburgh residents, minimizing disruptions and modernizing critical water infrastructure.
"ABC" represents the three components of this project: the Aspinwall Pump Station, Bruecken Pump Station, and Clearwell Bypass Projects.
The contracts were awarded to Mascaro Construction Company, Right Electric, SSM Industries, and Guy’s Mechanical Systems, beginning the four-year effort that will bring Pittsburgh Water substantially closer to completing its entire suite of Water Reliability Plan projects.
“We couldn’t be more excited to move from planning to construction on this important and complex phase of work,” said Pittsburgh Water CEO Will Pickering. “The ABC Project will address the pumping and reliability aspects of our Water Reliability Plan, bringing more secure and consistent water service to our customers.”
Construction will begin in 2025 and is anticipated to be completed in 2029. The estimated total project budget is $193 million and is forecasted to generate more than 1,300 jobs and stimulate an economic output of nearly $300 million throughout the Pittsburgh region.
Project Background
Rendering of the future Bruecken Pump Station
The interconnected nature of these long-standing components of Pittsburgh Water’s infrastructure requires careful sequencing of these construction projects. This phase of the Water Reliability Plan must be completed strategically, while maintaining water supply, chemical feeds, and operations at all facilities.
The Aspinwall Pump Station work will include replacing existing pumps, motors, switchgear, and piping; constructing a new chemical building; demolishing the existing fluoride building; installing stormwater improvements; and performing architectural improvements to preserve historic elements of the building.
The Bruecken Pump Station work will include constructing a new three-story building to house the new pumps, equipment, and large-diameter piping. New lighting, electrical equipment, process controls, security, HVAC, plumbing, fire suppression, utility, paving, and surface restoration work will occur at both pump station sites.
Constructing the Clearwell
A photo taken during construction of the Clearwell
The ABC Project will lay the groundwork for the centerpiece project of the Water Reliability Plan. The Clearwell, a 44-million-gallon underground basin, plays a key role in the water treatment process: here, water is treated with chlorine as a final step to eliminate bacteria and pathogens before being distributed throughout Pittsburgh Water’s service area. However, this essential infrastructure, originally constructed in 1912, is reaching the end of its useful life and must be replaced to maintain the reliability and safety of Pittsburgh's water system. The Clearwell itself is one large basin which must be entirely taken out of service before its full replacement, driving the need for strategic sequencing of the work.
The Water Reliability Plan has been carefully designed to provide the necessary groundwork to take the Clearwell offline, with reservoirs throughout the system serving as temporary clearwells during the replacement process. Once complete, the new structure will incorporate modern bypasses and advanced fixtures, meaning it will be possible to take the Clearwell offline in portions in the future, ensuring the delivery of safe, clean, and reliable water services for years to come.
About the Water Reliability Plan
The Water Reliability Plan is a series of multi-generational projects that will modernize Pittsburgh’s drinking water infrastructure for decades to come. Construction of the first projects were completed in 2023. The Highland Reservoir Pump Station, part of the Water Reliability Plan and Pittsburgh Water’s first new, major facility in 20 years, is currently under construction and on-schedule for substantial completion in late 2025. The Water Reliability Plan is a $470 million investment in Pittsburgh’s water system and will improve service reliability for current and future generations of customers.
Resources
- Stay informed about opportunities to work with Pittsburgh Water on the Water Reliability Plan and other important infrastructure investments, visit pgh2o.com/doing-business.
- Learn more about the Water Reliability Plan and follow its progress, visit pgh2o.com/WRP.
