Alcosan given OK for $2 billion plan to reduce sewage overflows into waterways

The Allegheny County Sanitary Authority is cleared to proceed with a $2 billion plan for reducing storm water and sewage overflows now that it has court approval of a related consent decree with federal and state environmental officials.

Alcosan on Friday announced the U.S. District Court approval of the modified consent decree, which replaces a 2008 version.

“I’m pleased that the court and the plaintiffs agreed with our approach for improving the water quality of our rivers and streams, and we are all excited to continue forward with that important goal,” Alcosan Executive Director Arletta Scott Williams said in the announcement.

Alcosan’s Clean Water Plan proposes measures for reducing 7 billion gallons of overflows into local waterways. The new consent decree extends the target for achieving that goal from 2026 to 2036.

The plan includes expanding wet-weather capacity of Alcosan’s waste-water treatment plant from 250 million gallons per day to 480 mgd, with a disinfection capacity of 600 mgd.

To prevent excess water from entering sewers, the authority intends to repair and line pipes, divert streams that are flowing into sewers and make use of “green” infrastructure such as rain gardens.

Alcosan plans to increase the capacity of its sewer system by adding pipes, diversion structures and tunnels.

The authority also has agreed to make a good-faith effort to assume ownership of and make any necessary repairs to some multi-municipal trunk sewers and related facilities. That could add up to 200 miles of infrastructure to the Alcosan system.

Visit alcosan.org for more information about the Clean Water Plan.