Pittsburgh Storm Water Code Updates Receive ASCE Pittsburgh Civil Engineering Award of Merit

Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) press release

The city of Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) have been awarded the 2021 Civil Engineering Award of Merit from the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Pittsburgh Section for the Stormwater Code & Ordinance Review and Update (SCORU) Project.

The SCORU Project was chosen for this award because of its emphasis on the need to change forecasting to account for climate change. 

It implemented many code practices that require the use of future climate rainfall projections as part of current stormwater design procedures. The city of Pittsburgh is one of the first cities to require these practices, based on extensive national and international peer reviewed research, review of global climate trends, and historic rainfall data trends. 

The SCORU Project demonstrated sensitivity to the community needs, safety, and forward-thinking actions that will provide a vital improvement to current practices.

The first round of storm water management requirements was implemented in March 2019, to comply with state and federal mandates such as Pennsylvania Act 167 and the Allegheny County Model Stormwater Management Ordinance. However, it was understood that more comprehensive analysis, community engagement, and additional recommendations were needed for the consolidation and improvement of municipal storm water policies, processes, and codes. 

This led to the SCORU Project kickoff in 2020. These updates were made possible by collaboration and engagement across the City, external agencies such as PWSA, and multiple stakeholder groups.

“Good storm water management is necessary to ensure the health and safety of Pittsburghers by providing stable environmental and economic conditions through improved water quality, reduced flooding, and green infrastructure,” said Senior Environmental Planner Martina Battistone. “We are honored that our team’s hard work on these code updates has been recognized and look forward to the rollout.”

The updates to the Stormwater Code were accepted in October 2021 and will go into effect on March 31, 2022. Representatives from the City of Pittsburgh and PWSA will accept the Award of Merit on February 19.