Peduto Administration Seeks Help Addressing 'Critical Need' To Improve PWSA
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Reeling from a Flush and Boil Advisory that affected 100,000 Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority customers, Mayor Bill Peduto's administration is now seeking an outside advisory team to help with restructuring the authority.
Citing a "critical need" to improve the PWSA, a request for proposals was issued on Friday.
A long list of serious problems has bubbled to the surface concerning the operation of the PWSA. Water quality, staffing, billing and customer service are all being criticized.
"The City of Pittsburgh owns the water and sewer system that was leased to the PWSA decades ago. It's time to reevaluate this structure," Mayor Peduto said. "After systemic problems with inadequate billing, lead in our service lines, and this week's flush and boil water advisory, the City has the duty to find new ways to improve our water services, and create the safe, effective and sustainable water authority our residents deserve."
The acting head of the agency admits these are troubled waters.
"It's unsustainable. It's got a heavy debt load. It's unable to adequately provide the necessary capital and the necessary commitment to bringing good talent in to assure that your water is being delivered safely every day," said Bernard Lindstrom, the acting director of the PWSA.
Pittsburgh City Council has also unanimously called for a probe by the state auditor general, and the state attorney general to find out what's gone wrong at the authority.
The concerns include:
- The low chlorine levels that caused this week's crisis
- High lead levels
- New meters that don't work and caused erroneous billing
"What happened with the filter? Why was somebody not on top of that? So, I think it's going to be a day-to-day management of who's constantly checking on these services that we provide to the residents," said City Councilman Corey O'Connor.
The acting director, who's only been on the job since September, says he welcomes a probe and any help the authority can get.
"Audits are good if they're done right and they provide the leader with an assessment of what is happening well and what is not," Lindstrom said.
Once chosen, the advisory team the mayor is calling for will "kickstart a process of addressing the agency's repeated structural failures."
Alternate ways to provide water service, including a public-private partnership to jointly manage some PWSA operations, will be considered.
The authority says it's welcoming the input.
Stay with KDKA and watch Paul Martino's report at 5 p.m. for more information.
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