Aspinwall seeking $500K from Alcosan for sewage system improvements

Aspinwall council is seeking financial help from Alcosan to target a sewer separation project along Western Avenue.

Work would be similar to earlier projects completed on Eastern and Center avenues, borough Manager Melissa O’Malley said.

Council applied for $519,200 through Alcosan’s Green Revitalization of Our Waterways (GROW) program. If approved, it would be the fourth time the borough was selected for the infrastructure assistance.

Aspinwall previously earned $477,000 through the GROW program to help create separate storm sewer lines along Center Avenue and $433,000 for similar work along Eastern Avenue.

“This grant would also include money for work on Alley A because that storm sewer will be attached to the one on Center through the Alley,” O’Malley said.

Aspinwall recently was awarded a $100,000 grant through 3 Rivers Wet Weather for work that is expected to help reduce stormwater overflow in Alley A.

Total cost is $268,660. O’Malley said that GROW money, if approved, would help pay the balance of work there.

Tracy Schubert, public outreach manager for the nonprofit 3 Rivers Wet Weather, said these projects are important because they reduce the chance for basement backups and also lessen the number of pollutants that flow into the Allegheny River and nearby streams.

“It’s important that communities plan for work like this to not only benefit residents but to help collaborate on addressing the issue as a whole throughout southwestern Pennsylvania,” Schubert said.