Representative Harry Readshaw Receives National Award - 3/23/2007

Pittsburgh – The Allegheny County Sanitary Authority (ALCOSAN) is honored to announce that ALCOSAN Board Chairman state Rep. Harry Readshaw, D-Carrick, is the recipient of the 2007 Local Public Service Award from the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA).

Rep. Readshaw was selected based upon his concern for public health, the environment and ALCOSAN ratepayers as shown through his tireless actions to secure funding and efforts to publicize the need for infrastructure repairs. Rep. Readshaw’s strong ability to build consensus across organizational and party lines also was a consideration in receiving the award.

“Please accept my congratulations and appreciation for your continued dedication to responsible environmental protection,” said Ken Kirk, NACWA Executive Director. NACWA maintains a key role in the development of environmental legislation, and works closely with federal regulatory agencies in the implementation of environmental programs.

Rep. Readshaw has secured $320,000 in state grants to-date to assist with funding wet weather program goals (small boat was purchased to conduct water quality sampling in areas where the ALCOSAN barge was unable to dock), plant security upgrades following 9/11 which protects the plant, the adjoining community and public health, public education (creation of the ALCOSAN web site and wet weather education initiatives), and conducting numerous engineering studies in relation to the wet weather program.

Rep. Readshaw will receive the prestigious NACWA National Environmental Achievement Award on May 7 in Washington, D.C.

Rep. Readshaw, elected to the PA state House of Representatives in 1995, represents the 36th district which includes a portion of the Allegheny County Sanitary Authority (ALCOSAN) service area. Since appointed to the ALCOSAN Board in January 1997, Rep. Readshaw has been selected by his fellow Board members to serve as Chairman since June 1999.

Located along the Ohio River on Pittsburgh’s Northside, ALCOSAN treats an average of 200 million gallons of wastewater daily representing treatment service from 320,000 customers in 83 communities including the City of Pittsburgh. ALCOSAN is not a county agency but a joint city-county authority operating under state guidelines that receives no tax monies and revenues generated solely by rates.