Over the past year the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority has attracted much criticism and scrutiny. Customers, legislators and advocacy groups have all weighed in with their complaints and concerns. Now the PWSA deserves credit for listening and for proposing some commendable ideas.
The authority, which has 111,000 customer accounts, is known for having outdated infrastructure, including lead-based pipes, which urgently need to be replaced. Upgrading of this infrastructure is expected to cost more than $300 million, and rate increases for customers are expected as a result. At the same time, community activists are protesting the shut-off of water service to low-income customers who have unpaid bills.
Internal problems have also plagued PWSA. In March three of the seven board members resigned, and in June the board named Robert Weimar as interim executive director after a six-month contract with the previous interim director expired. The board, under chairwoman Debbie Lestitian, appears to be moving in the right direction.
The latest positive sign is that the board is considering an assistance program for low-income customers. Customers on fixed or low incomes cannot be expected to pay the higher rates that may come with capital improvements. So the authority is considering a program modeled on the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program, which assists utility customers who struggle to pay heating bills.
So far this year, more than 1,600 residential and commercial customers have had their service shut off due to unpaid bills, and there is controversy about the way these accounts have been handled. The board has agreed to consider a moratorium on shut-offs of water service.
These actions prove that PWSA is listening to the community, and we applaud this focus on the customer. With the possibility of financial assistance from the state for capital improvements, the authority is moving toward the goals that all parties can agree on. Those include accurate billing and safe drinking water.
First Published: August 19, 2017, 4:00 a.m.