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Each year, approximately 9 billion gallons of wastewater overflow into our region’s waterways. Because of that, ALCOSAN is not in compliance with the federal Clean Water Act.
To fix this, ALCOSAN has started a $2 billion, long-term, Clean Water Plan that will reduce the amount of combined sewage overflow by 7 billion gallons per year and eliminate sanitary sewage overflows. To achieve this, ALCOSAN’s plan involves
four major components:
Regionalization - ALCOSAN is working with municipalities to take ownership of trunk sewers and related facilities to create a streamlined collection system.
Plant Expansion - The Clean Water Plan calls for ALCOSAN's Northside plant to expand. This additional capacity will help reduce the number of overflows caused by excess stormwater.
Regional Tunnel System -ALCOSAN will construct a new regional tunnel system, and related infrastructure, to transport more wastewater flows during rain events to the treatment plant. This will help reduce overflows.
GROW/Source Control - ALCOSAN created the Green Revitalization of Our Waterways (GROW) program in an effort to reduce excess water from entering an already overloaded sewer collection system.
Clean Water Plan Timeline
Regionalization
Regionalization will more than double ALCOSAN’s sewer system ownership and maintenance responsibilities in the region.
Learn how ALCOSAN is working with municipalities to take ownership of trunk sewers and related facilities to create a streamlined system.
The Clean Water Plan also calls for ALCOSAN's Northside plant to expand. This additional capacity will help reduce the number of overflows caused by excess stormwater.
North-End Expansion, December 2022North-End Expansion, May 2023East Headworks July 2024Environmental Compliance Facility July 2024
Follow updates on ALCOSAN’s plant expansion plans.
ALCOSAN will construct a new regional tunnel system, and related infrastructure, to streamline conveyance, or transport of wastewater to the treatment plant. This will help reduce overflows.
Ohio River Tunnel
150+ feet deep, 4.9 miles between 14 and 18 feet in diameter, with anticipated construction in 2025-2029 timeframe.
Allegheny River Tunnel
150+ feet deep, 6.2 miles and 18 feet in diameter, with anticipated construction in 2028-2034 timeframe.
Monongahela River Tunnel
150+ feet deep, 5.4 miles and 18 feet in diameter, with anticipated construction in 2030-2036 timeframe.
Learn about the changes at ALCOSAN that are underway to accommodate flow.
ALCOSAN created the Green Revitalization of Our Waterways (GROW) program in an effort to reduce excess water from entering an already overloaded sewer collection system.
Learn about the changes at ALCOSAN that are underway to accommodate flow.