Photographed from left to right: PWSA CEO Will Pickering, Construction Communications Project Manager Mora McLaughlin, Pittsburgh City Councilperson Erika Strassburger, and PWSA Director of Finance Ed Barca.
In mid-November, Pittsburgh City Councilperson and Vice Chair of the PWSA Board of Directors Erika Strassburger was recognized as the winner of a prestigious US Water Prize – the Outstanding Public Official award.
This accolade, awarded to her on behalf of the US Water Alliance, is presented each year to water trailblazers who are forging new paths in the water sector and redefining what’s possible in water management and sustainability.
As national water and climate challenges continue to put a strain on our communities, the urgency for innovative solutions grows. Water issues are often a bellwether for other climate-related impacts that disproportionately affect historically underserved communities and communities of color. Today, an estimated two million people in the United States face significant challenges in accessing safe drinking water and proper sanitation facilities.
Councilperson Strassburger is perfectly suited to receive this kind of award considering the broad range of public health and clean water initiatives for which she’s fought.
From bringing stormwater projects to life, to banning plastic bags – which clog our waterways and stormwater grates – to advocating for the removal of lead lines, Councilperson Strassburger’s leadership directly benefits the approximately 500,000 consumers PWSA serves. Her actions and advocacy have, without a doubt, contributed to improved drinking water quality and safety for current and future generations of Pittsburghers.
“Thank you so much to the US Water Alliance for recognizing our hard work to improve environmental standards and water quality in Pittsburgh,” said Councilperson Strassburger the night she accepted her award. “It is an honor to be in Tucson with the other One Water prize winners and to learn about their incredible work. I look forward to bringing fresh ideas back to Pittsburgh to make our water future even better.”
The 2023 US Water Prize winners were selected from a group of more than 75 extraordinary candidates. The award ceremony was held on November 14 in Tucson, Arizona, coinciding with the Alliance’s One Water Summit. In addition to Councilperson Strassburger, the US Water Alliance honored seven additional US Water Prize winners at the November Summit. Discover more about the 2023 US Water Prize laureates and previous winners on the US Water Alliance’s website.
