Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority

The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) treats and transports drinking water to homes and businesses in the City of Pittsburgh. It also maintains the sewage lines that transport wastewater to the Allegheny County Sanitation Authority (Alcosan). In the most recent greenhouse gas inventory, 25% of emissions coming from the municipal sector were the result of water treatment, due to the large amount of energy it takes to treat and transport the water.

Projects: PWSA has implemented a variety of sustainability practices through its operations, including a commitment to purchase 25% of its electricity from renewable sources. PWSA also pumps water during off-peak hours to reduce costs and decrease pressure on the local electricity grid. In 2014, PWSA expanded their sustainability office to include two Green Infrastructure positions: a Program Manager and a Technical Coordinator.

Green Infrastructure: PWSA is making investments in green infrastructure to combat Pittsburgh stormwater problems. Learn more here.

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