The Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority (PWSA) has reinstated its 125 million-gallon covered reservoir after replacing the liner and cover. The nine-month project, the largest of its kind in North America in 2022, ensured the reliability and security of the reservoir, which will play a key role in the city’s Water Reliability Plan.
Constructed between 1897 and 1903, the Highland II Reservoir supplies water to portions of Squirrel Hill, Downtown, South Side, and West End, making it a crucial part of the city’s water distribution system. PWSA drained the reservoir, removed the previous materials, and installed a new liner, floating cover, and supplemental equipment like rainwater removal pumps.
The work will add 25 more years of service to the structure and improve its reliability as other Water Reliability Plan projects take place.
The Water Reliability Plan culminates with the complete restoration of the century old Clearwell. This structure, located at the Water Treatment Plant, puts treated water in contact with chlorine to kill any bacteria and pathogens in the water, making it safe to drink. Because this is a singular feature of our system, alternate clearwells, like the Highland II Reservoir, will be established while it is taken offline for work.
The Rising Main 3 Rehabilitation, which revitalized a large diameter pipe that moves water into the Highland Park Reservoir system, was the first Water Reliability Plan project completed this year.
Work is already underway on the next phase of projects. In late 2022, PWSA began constructing the Rising Main 4 Rehabilitation and Replacement project and in 2023 will begin constructing the Highland Reservoir Pump Station and Rising Main Replacement. As these projects come to completion, construction of the remaining projects will begin in sequential order. These include the Aspinwall and Bruecken Pump Station Improvements, the Lanpher Rising Main Construction, Lanpher Reservoir Improvements, Clearwell Bypass Project, and Clearwell Replacement.
