On December 1st, PIIN and the Clean Rivers Campaign co-hosted a presentation of the city of Pittsburgh’s “Clean and Green” plan to solve flooding issues and stop the pollution of waterways every time it rains.

Participants gathered at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church to listen to James Stitt of the Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority present the plan. The UU Church of the South Hills and Bower Hill Community Church joined in the evening, as well.

The plan, released earlier that morning by the city in conjunction with the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA), addresses managing the root causes of stormwater overflow.

Green infrastructure solutions such as rain gardens, water detention basins, stream restorations, and pervious pavement mimic natural processes to capture rainwater and slow its movement. These solutions reduce the frequency and volume of combined sewer overflows and the likelihood of neighborhood flooding. And, unlike all-gray engineering projects, green infrastructure solutions provide numerous environmental, economic, and social benefits.

The draft “Clean and Green” plan can be viewed in its entirety by clicking here. PWSA encourages the public to submit commentary by email, at: greeninfrastructure@pgh2o.com.