In October 2020, the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) and the City of Pittsburgh launched a global search to develop an innovative approach to address stormwater management in Pittsburgh.
With support from the Heinz Endowments, the Richard King Mellon Foundation, and the Hillman Foundation, we embarked upon the first phase of this long-term planning effort. In June 2021, Penn Praxis and The Water Center at Penn were selected by PWSA to lead the stormwater planning efforts, with support by a team of sub-consultants having national expertise and a deep knowledge of local water issues.
Community Engagement, Public Review and Comment
This spring, PWSA is hosting Stormwater Conversations – a series of community workshops taking place across Pittsburgh to gather feedback about the stormwater strategic planning initiatives underway and hear firsthand how stormwater impacts you. Six community workshops are scheduled in geographic locations across the city, with the first one scheduled for April 13 in the West End. The complete listing of Stormwater Conversations is provided below or visit pgh2o.com/events-meetings to register.
Stormwater Conversations Schedule and Locations
| Date | Geographic Area | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday, Apr. 13 | West End | Sheraden Healthy Active Living Center |
| Tuesday, Apr. 18 | South | Philips Recreation Center |
| Tuesday, April 25 | East End | Kingsley Association |
| Tuesday, May 16 | Northside | Brighton Heights Healthy Active Living Center |
| Tuesday, May 23 | Hazelwood/Four Mile Run | Hazelwood Healthy Active Living Center |
| Tuesday, June 6 | Central Pittsburgh | Elsie H. Hillman Auditorium |
Stormwater Conversations complements the public comment period for the Stormwater Strategic Plan. The public comment period is open until June 30, 2023. We encourage you to review the Plan, attend the workshop that's most convenient for you, and share your thoughts about the proposed framework or ideas about stormwater in general.
If you're already familiar with the Stormwater Strategic Plan, please submit comments using the online webform or download the pdf version of the form to submit via email or mail to:
Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority
Attention: Beth Dutton, Senior Project Manager, Stormwater
1200 Penn Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
If you would like to have a copy of the Stormwater Strategic Plan mailed to you, please email Beth Dutton, Senior Project Manager, Stormwater to request a copy.
Using the links below, please use the printing or online viewing version that best meets your needs. If you choose to comment on the Strategic Plan, please use our online webform or the pdf form.
Home Printing Options
- Home / office printing version for letter size paper
- Home / office printing version for 11x17 size paper
Online Viewing Options
- Digital viewing version in Spreads (preferred to view layout)
- Digital viewing version in Pages
Appendices
Click the plus sign to view the SWSP Appendices
For additional context, please review the following background and supplemental information related to the findings in the Stormwater Strategic Plan and methodologies used throughout the planning process.
D: Detailed Four Lenses Mapping
E: Catalytic Sites Mapping Analysis
G: PWSA Impervious Surface Analysis
H: AKRF Engineering Feasibility Site Analysis
L: PWSA Ambassador Program Feedback
Plan Overview
The PWSA Stormwater Strategic Plan builds off past planning efforts by using climate data, previous regional studies, community input, and best practices by our peer utilities to provide recommendations that consider equity, the environment, priority sites, and water quality.
Recommendations Include:
- Develop and Implement a Communication Framework to Increase Transparency and Understanding of the PWSA Strategy and the Stormwater Fee Value Proposition
- Institute a Joint Task Force to Develop City-Wide Action Plans for More Coordinated and Effective Management of Stormwater
- Analyze Priority Areas for Investment
- Define Initial Investment Strategies
- Establish Guiding Principles and Comprehensive Approach to Stormwater and Flooding “Level of Service”
- Leverage Stormwater Fee Impact Through Public and Private Investment, Innovative Partnerships and Technologies, and Job Training Programs
The Stormwater Strategic Plan is aspirational and should be viewed as a strategic step towards stormwater management. PWSA intends to use the Plan recommendations to eventually design and implement specific projects that meet a determined level of service to manage stormwater quantity at a rate PWSA customers can afford. As such, this plan presents a strategy to be used in reaching our final goal of delivering cost-effective and environmentally compliant stormwater service.
The plan is an exciting and timely effort for a cost-effective, inclusive, and sustainable way to address local stormwater problems and ensure that all Pittsburgh neighborhoods are represented. We encourage our ratepayers, stormwater advocates, and member of the Pittsburgh community to participate in the public comment period.
Community Engagement
PWSA has an ongoing commitment to public engagement and outreach and will provide a process for our community to provide input into our ongoing stormwater planning and implementation.