Workshop offers practical solutions for tackling sewer overflow problem

Yesterday, Sustainable Pittsburgh teamed with ALCOSAN to host a Green Workplace Challenge workshop.  Entitled “Working Together for Clean Water: How Communities & Businesses are Addressing the Region’s Stormwater Problem”, the event focused on ways in which green technologies are scaling to help fix the shared challenge of sewer overflows in the region, resulting in cleaner rivers, healthier people, and cost savings.  Presenters covered practical steps businesses, municipalities, and individuals can implement to be part of the solution including the use of rain barrels, rain gardens, green roofs, pervious surfaces, and more.

ALCOSAN is working with all sectors to integrate green infrastructure solutions in response to the mandated imperative to reduce sewer overflows.  ALCOSAN’s Green Revitalization of Our Waterways (GROW) program is one such example.  GROW grants are highly selective in identifying projects with the highest return on investment.  This funding and resulting green infrastructure innovations are key to the authority’s long-term plan to create cleaner waterways.

Following the formal presentations, attendees went on the highly regarded ALCOSAN facility tour.  Many thanks to ALCOSAN for hosting the tour and workshop.