Pennsylvania American Water Announces $22 Million Pittsburgh Water Treatment Plant Upgrade
Pittsburgh, Pa. (Sept. 5, 2023) – Pennsylvania American Water announced today that the company is investing approximately $22 million to upgrade its award-winning Hays Mine Water Treatment Plant. The investment will upgrade the plant's safety, controls, and equipment.
“It is crucial to upgrade our infrastructure proactively to maintain safe and reliable water service,” said Engineering Manager Rachael Beam. “This investment demonstrates our commitment to upgrading infrastructure and enhancing safety at our drinking water treatment plants.”
Pennsylvania American Water's upgrades will replace infrastructure nearing the end of its useful life. The construction includes:
- The renovation of 16 filters that are approximately 70 years old and are responsible for maintaining a high level of water quality.
- Replacing caustic soda tanks, which will improve the system’s resilience, reliability, and safety for employees and the environment.
- Replacing solids handling equipment, which will improve efficiencies and reliability and lessen water use associated with the treatment process.
The Hays Mine Water Treatment Plant delivers up to 30 million gallons daily to 132,000 customers in southern Allegheny County. It has been recognized nationally with the Partnership for Safe Water 20-year Directors Award, which acknowledges water providers who voluntarily implement measures to optimize treatment plant performance and distribution system operation, resulting in the production and delivery of superior quality water.
As part of meeting the Directors Award requirements, water treatment plants must meet specific criteria and provide water service that – in some cases – surpasses what is required by federal and state drinking water standards.
This year, the company is also improving its water and sewer systems in Allegheny, Fayette, and Washington counties, including installing 33 miles of new water main to enhance service reliability and fire protection and rehabilitating 3.6 miles of aging sewer main. The total cost of these upgrades is around $85 million.
These infrastructure upgrade projects are an essential investment in public health and safety and help support the economic health of the communities we serve. Economic impact studies show that for every $1 million invested in water infrastructure, upwards of 15 jobs are generated throughout the economy. Statewide, Pennsylvania American Water invested approximately $490 million in 2022 alone to improve our water and wastewater treatment and pipeline systems, supporting more than 7,000 jobs through these continued investments.
Pennsylvania American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and wastewater services to approximately 2.3 million people. For more information, visit www.pennsylvaniaamwater.com and follow Pennsylvania American Water on Twitter and Facebook.
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Pittsburgh, Pa. (Sept. 5, 2023) – Pennsylvania American Water announced today that the company is investing approximately $22 million to upgrade its award-winning Hays Mine Water Treatment Plant. The investment will upgrade the plant's safety, controls, and equipment.
“It is crucial to upgrade our infrastructure proactively to maintain safe and reliable water service,” said Engineering Manager Rachael Beam. “This investment demonstrates our commitment to upgrading infrastructure and enhancing safety at our drinking water treatment plants.”
Pennsylvania American Water's upgrades will replace infrastructure nearing the end of its useful life. The construction includes:
- The renovation of 16 filters that are approximately 70 years old and are responsible for maintaining a high level of water quality.
- Replacing caustic soda tanks, which will improve the system’s resilience, reliability, and safety for employees and the environment.
- Replacing solids handling equipment, which will improve efficiencies and reliability and lessen water use associated with the treatment process.
The Hays Mine Water Treatment Plant delivers up to 30 million gallons daily to 132,000 customers in southern Allegheny County. It has been recognized nationally with the Partnership for Safe Water 20-year Directors Award, which acknowledges water providers who voluntarily implement measures to optimize treatment plant performance and distribution system operation, resulting in the production and delivery of superior quality water.
As part of meeting the Directors Award requirements, water treatment plants must meet specific criteria and provide water service that – in some cases – surpasses what is required by federal and state drinking water standards.
This year, the company is also improving its water and sewer systems in Allegheny, Fayette, and Washington counties, including installing 33 miles of new water main to enhance service reliability and fire protection and rehabilitating 3.6 miles of aging sewer main. The total cost of these upgrades is around $85 million.
These infrastructure upgrade projects are an essential investment in public health and safety and help support the economic health of the communities we serve. Economic impact studies show that for every $1 million invested in water infrastructure, upwards of 15 jobs are generated throughout the economy. Statewide, Pennsylvania American Water invested approximately $490 million in 2022 alone to improve our water and wastewater treatment and pipeline systems, supporting more than 7,000 jobs through these continued investments.
Pennsylvania American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and wastewater services to approximately 2.3 million people. For more information, visit www.pennsylvaniaamwater.com and follow Pennsylvania American Water on Twitter and Facebook.