Infrastructure Management Group (IMG), the consulting firm hired to investigate the issues facing the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority, presented their second round of possible ways to restructure the Authority Tuesday before the Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Panel of experts on the matter. 

The consulting firm hired to investigate the issues facing the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority, which it described as “a failed organization atop a dangerous and crumbling structure,” outlined several options for city leaders to consider Monday as they look to try and rework the authority.

The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority board is poised to begin a customer assistance program, along with a suggested moratorium on water service shutoffs for customers.

PWSA board Chairwoman Debbie Lestitian moved Thursday to create a subcommittee within the board to consider the approach, asking Councilwoman Deb Gross (District 7) and Vice Chairperson Margaret Lanier to take the lead.

“An important part of working on a public authority is listening to the public," said Lestitian. “I’ve had several meetings with a lot of the community groups, they’ve all expressed the same concerns. With three new board members now, it’s a responsible time to explore customer assistance programs and their requests for a potential shut off moratorium.” 

On the same day that Pittsburgh City Council passed a bill to expedite the process of removing lead water service lines from the city’s infrastructure, Allegheny County Controller Chelsa Wagner criticized the county’s health department’s response to lead contamination just hours later.

Wagner released her office’s audit of the Allegheny County Health Department’s (ACHD) programs in response to elevated lead water levels. In April, Wagner announced that her office would perform the audit after concerns that the health department was not seriously considering water as a source of lead contamination.