Millvale and PWSA Come to Agreement

The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority has a tentative deal with Millvale to take over its water system. The PWSA has been selling water to the borough for 16 years. Authority Executive Director Michael Kenney says this should make for a smooth transition. The 1,800 Millvale customers use about 10-million gallons of water a month. Kenney says the $1.5 million deal will pay for itself in 5-years. Millvale Council President James Porter says the Borough was worried that it would not be able to afford to upgrade the system or make major repairs. Kenney says the authority should be able to absorb all of those costs. He says the vision of the board is to make the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority more of a regional player with more deals like this one. Right now the PWSA sells water to Fox Chapel, Shaler, Hampton, Reserve Township and Aspinwall. Kenney says the water treatment plants runs at 60% capacity so there is plenty of room to bring in other municipal systems. The average Millvale user will see monthly water costs go up about $5 a month. Final approval by the Millvale Council and the authority board is needed and then there will be a transition period of about three months before the deal is final. Sewage treatment is not part of this deal.