Across the organization, our team has had quite the busy spring! While our Operations and Engineering teams have been focused on construction and infrastructure projects, our Public Affairs, Human Resources, and PGH2O Cares teams have been jumping into workforce development events, connecting with neighbors and groups across the city, and sharing our work at regional and national conferences. Here’s a quick recap of some key events and outreach opportunities we’ve taken part in!
Community Outreach
Community members share design feedback at a Rain Reclaim meeting.
Rain Reclaim
In May, Pittsburgh Water continued its collaboration with the City of Pittsburgh and WaterNow Alliance on Rain Reclaim, an initiative to transform City-owned vacant lots into green community spaces that enhance neighborhood climate resiliency and improve local water quality. The Rain Reclaim project team hosted two community-focused events in the Lincoln-Lemington-Belmar neighborhood. The first was a Watershed Walk, where participants toured the two proposed project sites and learned about early design concepts. The following week, the team met with residents during a Design Feedback Session to review concept designs, share progress, and gather additional community input. These conversations are helping shape Rain Reclaim into a community-driven project that supports healthy, accessible green spaces.
Meet Your Watershed!
Throughout April and May, Pittsburgh Water hosted a series of hands‑on learning sessions at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh locations, inviting youth and their families to explore local rivers, watersheds, sewer systems, and stormwater using an interactive physical model. Designed for children in grades K–5, these Education & Outreach sessions provided a fun and accessible way to spark curiosity about how water moves through our environment and the essential role of water infrastructure. The events helped build early awareness of environmental stewardship while strengthening connections with families across the Pittsburgh community.
Construction Community Conversations
This spring, Pittsburgh Water attended several neighborhood community meetings to share updates on upcoming construction projects and system improvements. During these brief drop‑in presentations, staff provided residents with general information about planned work in their area and highlighted how these investments support reliable service while reinvesting ratepayer dollars back into the infrastructure that serves them. Community members were invited to ask questions and learn more about how construction efforts fit into Pittsburgh Water’s broader commitment to maintaining and upgrading essential water and sewer systems.
Stormwater Stakeholder Meeting
Pittsburgh Water hosted its first bi‑annual Stormwater Stakeholder Meeting at the Kingsley Association, bringing together community members and local partners to help shape the future of stormwater management across the city. The meeting served as an opportunity to improve transparency and foster open dialogue around ongoing and upcoming stormwater projects, priority areas, capital spending, and how the stormwater fee is allocated. Representatives from Pittsburgh Water’s engineering, finance, and public affairs teams shared an overview of the stormwater program and key initiatives, followed by time for questions and discussion. The event helped strengthen community connections and set the foundation for continued collaboration as Pittsburgh Water advances its stormwater strategy.
Area Agency on Aging Collaborative Partners Meeting
Our PGH2O Cares Team joined the Allegheny County Department of Human Services’ bi-annual Area Agency on Aging Collaborative Partners meeting this April. The meeting brings together parties including government representatives, utilities, community organizations, and social workers to communicate relevant updates for the senior citizens we all serve. PGH2O Cares Team members shared recent updates to our Customer Assistance Programs and helpful information about the services and programs we offer for those in need, including the area’s aging population.
Workforce Development
PartnerUp SuperDay
PartnerUp SuperDay
Pittsburgh Water participated in PartnerUp’s SuperDay event, a regional workforce initiative that connects high school students and early‑career talent directly with local employers. Talent Acquisition & Workforce Development Manager Sarah Collins, Talent Acquisition Specialist Anna Ferragonio, and Senior Customer Service Manager Tishla Jones staffed a table, shared information about Pittsburgh Water’s diverse career pathways, and conducted interviews with eight students to learn about their skills, interests, and goals. The event offered a valuable opportunity to build meaningful connections, introduce young people to water sector careers, and continue strengthening a future talent pipeline for the organization.
Growing the Inclusive Green Workforce Pipeline in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Water joined students, educators, employers, and community partners at Grounded Strategies’ Growing the Inclusive Green Workforce Pipeline event on May 21, where Collins facilitated a breakout session on the clean water sector and its many career pathways. Through a hands‑on pipeline mapping activity and conversations across breakout topics ranging from urban farming to waste reduction, participants explored barriers to entry, the kinds of experiential learning opportunities students are seeking, and when young people are first exposed to green careers. The group also took part in a design challenge imagining an outdoor learning space that could help students better understand stormwater management, environmental stewardship, and water‑related professions. Insights from the event will help Pittsburgh Water strengthen its workforce development efforts and better align future hands‑on learning opportunities with community needs.
Water Equity Network Taskforce participants visit a lead service line replacement worksite.
Water Equity Network Taskforce Impact Celebration Event
The Water Equity Network Taskforce Impact Celebration in Saint Paul brought together partners from across the country to reflect on two years of progress in advancing water affordability, workforce development, racial equity, and cross‑sector collaboration. Participants shared strategies and innovations, visited a local lead service line replacement project to see equity‑focused practices in action, and outlined commitments to sustain momentum beyond the Taskforce’s formal conclusion. For Pittsburgh Water, the event celebrated significant contributions to the Water Workforce Taskforce, including helping build a regional workforce consortium, expanding career pathways with community-based organizations, and strengthening access to grant funding. Collins noted that the Taskforce’s guidance was instrumental in launching Pittsburgh Water’s first apprenticeship program and establishing a robust Careers in Water initiative to inspire the next generation of water professionals.
AZ Water Association’s 99th Annual Conference
Water Equity Now: Lessons, Tools, and Action Steps at the Arizona Water Association’s Annual Conference, was also presented by Collins on behalf of both Pittsburgh Water and the Water Workforce Taskforce. Her interactive workshop helped participants understand the historical conditions that led to disparities in the water sector and highlighted real-world examples of utilities working to advance equitable, community-centered water systems. Through presentations, hands‑on exercises, and guided reflection, attendees explored key frameworks and tools from the Water Equity Network and considered how to apply them within their own organizations. Participants left the session with practical strategies, renewed inspiration, and a clearer vision for building more just, resilient, and inclusive water systems for all.
