Pa. sewage referendum to fix stink

‘ ‘ ‘ After students across Oakland participated in the noble democratic process on Election… ‘ ‘ ‘ After students across Oakland participated in the noble democratic process on Election Day by voting for president and state representatives, they voted whether they wanted the state to spend millions to improve sewage infrastructure. ‘ ‘ ‘ Many students may recall the referendum question on the ballet, which asked voters whether they thought the state of Pennsylvania should issue $400 million in loans and grants to statewide communities for sewage, drinking water and storm water projects. ‘ ‘ ‘ And if these same students happened to be voting in South Oakland, they might have gotten a whiff of one of the reasons behind this proposal, which voters overwhelmingly supported. ‘ ‘ ‘ Some parts of South Oakland are notorious among students for their stink of raw sewage, one problem that Michael Kenney, executive director of the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority, hopes the new state funding will help local authorities to address. ‘ ‘ ‘ Kenney said that the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority combines its storm water system and its sanitary system into one, which means that the system often gets overtaxed, resulting in such things as sewage backup and its associated stink. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘We have a constant maintenance problem that comes from a combination system,’ said Kenney. ‘ ‘ ‘ He explained that the storm water system, which drains excess precipitation from storms into rivers, is the same one that transports waste to rivers and sewage treatment facilities. ‘ ‘ ‘ The new money from the approval of the referendum will now allow the Authority to build the infrastructure necessary to separate that unified system into two parts, Kenney said.’ ‘ ‘ ‘ But students grossed out by the odors of South Oakland will not be the only ones to benefit from two expanded and improved sewage and stormwater systems. ‘ ‘ ‘ Officials from Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection will appreciate that the expanded infrastructure will allow the Authority to send all city waste to proper sewage treatment facilities, said Kenney. ‘ ‘ ‘ He explained that, in the past, many thought that if more water entered rivers from a large storm, then more sewage could be safely added to rivers, since the added water would dilute the pollution. ‘ ‘ ‘ But the Department of Environmental Protection does not want any discharge, said Kenney, and now the state money will help to fund the infrastructure improvements that will allow the Authority to send all its waste to sewage treatment facilities instead of rivers. ‘ ‘ ‘ Kenney said the money will also go into improving drinking water treatment facilities for the city and improve the water treatment process to meet the standards for the Clean Water Act. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘This will be a really good kickstart to the program of investing into the future,’ said Kenney. ‘ ‘ ‘ He expressed hope that the main city water treatment plant, which delivers about 70 million gallons of water per day, will soon be able to deliver 100 gallons per day because of new infrastructure growth. ‘ ‘ ‘ The money will also help to fund improvements to three reservoirs, various water tanks and the intricate pipeline system, all of which will improve the quality of the city’s drinking water, said Kenney. ‘ ‘ ‘ These improvements could not come any sooner, as most of the city’s infrastructure had been built at the turn of the century, and the estimated life of such an infrastructure is only about 100 years, said Kenney. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘We’re getting into the end of our useful life,’ Kenney said of Pittsburgh’s current sewage and water delivery systems. ‘ ‘ ‘ Speaking of Pitt students, Kenney said, ‘This is money needed to ensure their future, and their kids’ future.’ ‘ ‘ ‘ In addition to the environmental and human incentives for updating infrastructure, the development plans will also likely stimulate local economic growth through job creation, said Kenney.’ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘We have huge financial needs in southwestern Pennsylvania to enhance our aging pipes and plants, particularly in many of the towns struggling with plant closings, job losses and aging populations,’ said Kenney in an October news release.