Western Pennsylvania ratepayers will foot the $2 billion+ bill to remove 9 billion+ gallons of sewage out of their three rivers. Ratepayers are already experiencing double-digit increases in rates and these will continue for many years to come. Many neighborhoods in the region are experiencing severe flooding and basement backups. In addition, low income and minority neighborhoods have been passed over when development dollars are spent.
The issue of “sewage in the rivers” is NOT just a western Pennsylvania problem. Over 200 cities across the country are facing similar cleanup efforts. If you add all that up, we are talking REAL money - nearly half a trillion dollars.
The nearly 7 year old Clean Rivers Campaign has had a number of major successes including the establishment of a Customer Assistance Program for low income residents, major funding from Pittsburgh City Council for a large green infrastructure project at a key sewer overflow site and a five year window that gives us the opportunity to prove to the EPA that the region is “ready, willing, and able” to use a large scale green first approach to tackle those 9 billion gallons of sewage in the rivers. If the campaign is not successful in changing policy, our sewer authority, ALCOSAN, will build 14 miles of large “subway tunnel sized” holding tanks under our rivers to store the 9 billion gallons until they can treat it on dry weather days.
Clean Rivers Campaign members listening to Rev. Vincent Kolb as he urges ALCOSAN to make major investments in green infrastructure.
The campaign has learned a number of key lessons since the Sierra Club, Nine Mile Run Watershed Association, Pennsylvania Interfaith Impact Network, Action United, Clean Water Action and Pittsburgh United came together around the table almost seven years ago.
Build Your Coalition As Wide As Possible From Day One - Each group in the coalition knew that by themselves they did not have the power to win this fight - their only hope was to work together as a team. Each organization brought different strengths and using those they have won some serious victories.
Have A Simple Compelling Consistent Message - From the beginning our campaign’s basic message is, “We want big up front investments in green infrastructure as our strategy to remove those 9 billion gallons because it gives us the clean rivers we want, but also brings multiple community benefits back to our neighborhoods”. We have been very disciplined in using this message. It has also allowed us to tailor our message for multiple audiences: Jobs and reinvestment in low income and minority communities. Cleaner air and greenhouse gas reductions for environmental groups. Reduced flooding and basement backups for just about everyone.
Recognize The True Nature Of Your Fight - From the beginning the Clean Rivers Campaign has recognized that this is your basic down-and-dirty fight over money. On one side are the ratepayers who want to see their hard earned dollars in a way that gives them the most bang for their buck. On the other side is the local sewer authority that is prepared to bury those $2 billion in those tunnels under the rivers.
Know Your Decision Makers - From the beginning we have recognized that the real decision makers in this situation are the seven members of the Board of ALCOSAN, our regional sewer authority. We have tailored our campaign activities and actions towards influencing their opinions. We have researched them and worked to build relationships with them where we can.
Our current two-pronged strategy consists of advocating for the construction of Pittsburgh’s planned large green infrastructure projects and advocating for large investments of ratepayer dollars by ALCOSAN in those projects. Stay tuned for further developments.
Tom Hoffman works with Sierra Club volunteers to fight for clean, affordable, and publicly-controlled water in Pittsburgh. If you would like to learn more or get involved, please contact Tom here. Check out a recent interview with Tom on Union Edge radio's Just Transition program! This article is part of our Summer 2018 Sylvanian Newsletter. To read other articles from this issue, please click here.