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The Problem
During wet weather, when it rains or snow melts, excess water overloads the sewer system resulting in sewage overflows into area creeks, streams and rivers. This flow also carries pollutants from untreated sewage as well as grit and debris found littered along roadways.
Correcting the sewage overflow problem is a priority for the Allegheny County Sanitary Authority (ALCOSAN) as well as the 83 municipalities it serves. Under the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Combined Sewer Overflow Policy, combined sewer overflows as well as the pollutants discharged, must be controlled.(Left) Schematic diagram of overflow control facility
The Demonstration Project
ALCOSAN is considering constructing overflow control facilities which are used to provide treatment to the combined sewage that would otherwise flow into the receiving stream untreated during wet weather. The goals of the project are to:
- Design facilities for intermittent operation that will require low maintenance, control solid and floatable materials, and demonstrate effective disinfection;
- Improve water quality; and
- Comply with the Federal Combined Sewer overflow policy.
To meet these goals, ALCOSAN is considering constructing two overflow control demonstration facilities in the Pittsburgh region. The proposed locations are along the north shore of the Allegheny River, and at the mouth of Homestead Run, which drains into the Monongahela River. Within these locations, no specific sites have been selected.
(Below)The tan and white buildings in the foreground house CSO control equipment and pumping facilities in Newport, Rhode Island.
For more information about this project, please contact Nancy Barylak, ALCOSAN Manager of Public Relations at (412) 734-8353 or visit the project website at www.alcosan.org.
