ALLEGHENY COUNTY ndash May 9 2008
What can you expect
In the next two hourshellipbull An overview of the task forcebull A video and verbal overview of our regionrsquos
water-related problemsbull Overview of southwestern Pennsylvaniarsquos
current institutional systembull Exploration of multi-governmental collaborationbull Public input on problems and regional models
Task Force Background
Over the last decade several regional studies have provided extensive information on our regionrsquos water and sewage problems
These efforts have consistently recommended regional collaboration to adequately confront our problems
The Regional Water Management Task Force was formed to begin achieving consensus on action steps
Dr Jared Cohon
RepresentationScope
Diverse high-level representation from 11 southwestern Pennsylvania counties Appointed with input from county commissioners
and state legislators Chair ndash Dr Jared Cohon
President Carnegie Mellon University
Vice Chair ndash Dr Angelo ArmentiPresident California University of Pennsylvania
15 additional members from throughout the region
Public Water and Public Sewage Services in Southwestern Pennsylvania
Mission
Solving our regionrsquos water-related problems in a way that best serves our citizens
bull Protect the publicrsquos health ensure environmental sustainability provide for the regionrsquos economic vitalityand avoid costly regulatory actions
Institutional not technical projectbull Public engagement to determine consensusbull Implementation
Our water seems finehellip
The region has madegreat strides BUThellip
Southwestern Pennsylvania continues to face one of the
worst combinations of water problems in the nation
Water Quality has Improvedbut Many Problems Remain
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
IndustrialMetals
IndustrialMetals
Fecal Coliform
Fecal Coliform
70rsquos 90rsquos
Source Analysis of USGS data monitoring
DrinkingWater
Standard
Problems Sewage
An urban problembull combined and sanitary sewer overflows
And a rural problembull malfunctioning septic systems
Wildcat sewers
Sewage Overflows From SewersInto Our Rivers and Streams
hellipand by failure
By designhellip
Combined Sewer Overflows
SW PA Has Among the WorstSewage Overflow Problem in the US
States with the MostCombined Sewer Overflows
RANK STATE CSOS
1 Pennsylvania 1631
2 Ohio 1378
3 New York 1032
4 Indiana 876
5 Illinois 742
6 West Virginia 681
7 Missouri 451
8 Kentucky 288
9 Massachusetts 278
10 Michigan 262
Communitieswith CSOs
Combined Sewer Overflows by Region
RANK PA REGION CSOS
1 Southwest 763
2 Northeast 349
3 Southeast 211
4 North Central 125
5 South Central 118
6 Northwest 65
TOTAL 1631
Sewage Overflows ExistThroughout the Region
15
4131917
622 72
14022
1 0
Number of CSOsby County
Communitieswith CSOs
States with the MostCombined Sewer Overflows
RANK STATE CSOS1 Pennsylvania 16312 Ohio 13783 New York 10324 Indiana 876
Southwest PA 7635 Illinois 7426 West Virginia 6817 Missouri 4518 Kentucky 2889 Massachusetts 27810 Michigan 262
Major Rivers are Unsafe for Bodily Contact4 Out of Every 5 Days
Allegheny County Health Department CSO WarningsMay 15 - September 30
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20
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100
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006