The Water Reliability Plan is a series of multi-generational projects that will modernize our water distribution system and provide customers with more secure and reliable water services.
Water Reliability Plan Projects
To prepare Pittsburgh Water for the next 80-100 years, there must be resiliency and redundancy in every part of the system.
Resiliency means that all crucial portions of the system, like pump stations and large-diameter water mains will deliver reliable and safe water service to our customers for years to come.
Redundancy means that if there is a failure, the system is designed in such a way that there is always another way to supply water and maintain service for our customers.
The projects making up the Water Reliability Plan will happen sequentially and work together to fortify the system so it is ready to supply continuous water service during the final, and biggest project, the complete replacement of the Clearwell.
Over the course of the Water Reliability Plan, Pittsburgh Water will invest nearly $470 million in large-scale water improvement projects. This comprehensive series of projects will provide a resilient and redundant water system that the people of Pittsburgh can rely on for many years to come.
These Water Reliability Plan projects will work together to fortify the system so it is ready to supply continuous water service during the final, and biggest project, the complete restoration of the Clearwell. The Clearwell is a large, century old water storage facility that is used to dose water with chlorine to kill any harmful bacteria or pathogens in the water. It is a unique component in our system and provides a crucial treatment step for the health and safety of our water. Since there is only one Clearwell, Pittsburgh Water engineers must phase their work so they can prepare to chlorinate water elsewhere while the Clearwell is under construction. As the last of these Water Reliability projects, this project will be a $67 million investment in Pittsburgh Water’s water future.
ABC Project
ABC Project
The ABC Project brings together three major upgrades to Pittsburgh’s water system: a major overhaul of the Aspinwall Pump Station including preservation of the building’s historic façade and architectural features; building a new pump station to replace the existing Bruecken Pump Station; and the installation of a new pipeline to bypass the Clearwell at the Water Treatment Plant. Together, these efforts will restore vital pumping power and boost the reliability of water distribution for the entire city.
Aspinwall Pump Station Improvements
Improvements to the Aspinwall Pump Station will include four new pumping units, replacing an existing fluoride chemical feed building, electrical upgrades, and building renovations.
Bruecken Pump Station Upgrades
Rendering of the new Bruecken Pump Station
A new pump station will be constructed next to the existing station, housing six new pumps, electrical upgrades, and a new electrical substation. The existing station will be repurposed at a later date.
Clearwell Bypass Project
This project will construct a large diameter in-ground piping system around the existing 44-million-gallon Clearwell. It will provide planned bypassing of the filtered water from the Aspinwall Water Treatment Plant Filter Building around the existing clearwell to the Aspinwall and Bruecken Pump Stations. This project will construct an overflow structure with de-chlorination equipment.
Newsletters and Press Releases
- November 21, 2024: Pittsburgh Water Achieves Next Milestone in Ambitious Water Reliability Plan
- April 25, 2025: Pittsburgh Water Awards Historic $193 Million Water Reliability Plan Contract
- August 25, 2025: Pittsburgh Water Greenlights $193 Million ABC Project, Clearing Way for Construction
- November 7, 2025: Pittsburgh Water Gathers Local, State, and Industry Leaders to Celebrate ABC Project Groundbreaking
Highland Reservoir Pump Station and Rising Mains
Highland Reservoir Pump Station and Rising Mains
Rendering of the new Highland Reservoir Pump Station
A new pump station will be built to replace the existing Pump Station, near the intersection of N. Negley Avenue and Mellon Terrace. The existing pump station will be demolished. New supply mains will be built to connect the Highland II Reservoir to the new pump station, and new rising mains will be built to connect the new pump station to the surrounding water system. The new pump station will have an increased pumping capacity and will serve as a redundant supply to both the Highland II and Highland I Reservoirs' systems.
Newsletters and Press Releases
- September 21, 2021: Planning for Water Reliability: First Up, Upgrades in Highland Park
- February 24, 2023: Engineering Report: Next Water Reliability Plan Project Launches
- August 2, 2023: PWSA Bids First New Building in 20 Years
- October 27, 2023: PWSA Awards Highland Reservoir Pump Station Project
- September 20, 2024: PWSA Brings Local and State Leaders, Labor Community to Highland Reservoir Pump Station
- September 27, 2024: PWSA Brings Local and State Leaders, Labor Community to Highland Reservoir Pump Station
- December 18, 2025: Government, Community, and Professional Leaders Join Pittsburgh Water to Celebrate Substantial Completion of Highland Reservoir Pump Station
Clearwell Replacement
Clearwell Replacement
The original Clearwell being built in 1906
The Clearwell is a 44-million gallon basin that plays a key role in the water treatment process. As a last step of treatment, water enters the Clearwell to be treated with chlorine, killing any bacteria or pathogens that may be in the water. This component of the system is reaching the end of its useful life and must be replaced. The suite of Water Reliability Plan projects will lay the necessary groundwork to take the Clearwell offline. Reservoirs throughout the system will act as temporary clearwells while it is replaced.
This project will replace the Clearwell structure with a new one, complete with bypasses and other modern fixtures to ensure reliable water service for the future.
Press Releases
- February 29, 2024: PWSA Bids Capstone Water Reliability Plan Project
- July 31, 2024: PWSA Begins Designing Capstone Water Reliability Plan Project
Aspinwall and Fox Chapel Interim Feed Project
Aspinwall and Fox Chapel Interim Feed Project
This design project will ensure safe and reliable drinking water for customers in the Borough of Aspinwall and Fox Chapel. Existing infrastructure will be assessed and the extents of rehabilitation will be determined.
Lanpher Rising Main Project
Lanpher Rising Main Project
This project will build a five-mile-long, 48-inch pipe to carry water from the Water Treatment Plant to the Lanpher Reservoir, located in Hampton Township.
Completed Projects
Highland II Reservoir Liner and Cover Replacement
Highland II Reservoir Liner and Cover Replacement
The liner and cover of the Highland II Reservoir was replaced, in addition to baffles, rainwater removal pumps, control, panels, and other associated components. While the Clearwell is replaced, this reservoir will serve as a temporary clearwell.
Newsletters and Press Releases
- March 28, 2022: Engineering Report: Second Water Reliability Plan Project Kicks Off
- May 26, 2022: Engineering Report: Highland II Reservoir Improvements Underway
- January 9, 2023: PWSA Completes First Water Reliability Plan Project
- January 27, 2023: PWSA Completes First Water Reliability Plan Project
Rising Mains 3 & 4 Rehabilitation and Replacement
Rising Mains 3 & 4 Rehabilitation and Replacement
Construction continuing on the Rising Mains 3 and 4 Project
These large-diameter pipes carry water from the Bruecken Pump Station to the Highland II Reservoir. Extensive surveying work was completed on both pipes to determine how to rehabilitate the pipes where possible, and where portions must be replaced. Approximately 1,900 feet of Rising Main 3 was replaced by excavating the pipe, while another approximately 3,900 feet was rehabilitated using lining technology. Approximately 200 feet of Rising Main 4 was replaced by excavating the pipe, while another approximately 2,500 feet will be rehabilitated through lining.
Newsletters & Press Releases
- September 9, 2021: Planning for Water Reliability: First Up, Upgrades in Highland Park
- February 10, 2022: PWSA Begins Rehabilitation on Rising Main in Highland Park
- February 25, 2022: Engineering Report: Rising Main Rehabilitation Begins in Highland Park
- October 28, 2022: PWSA Awards Contract for Large Diameter Water Main Improvements
- November 18, 2022: Engineering Report: Important Water Main Project Contract Awarded
Water Treatment Plant Electrical Power and Backup Projects
Water Treatment Plant Electrical Power and Backup Projects
These efforts will ensure that our pump stations never lose power. When our pumps are in good working order, we maintain consistent water pressure throughout the water service area.
Water Treatment Plant Pump Station Upgrades
Water Treatment Plant Pump Station Upgrades
Ensuring our pump stations are in good condition will help to maintain good water pressure throughout our water service area.