ALCOSAN advances wet weather capital projects and initiates industrial waste fee evaluation

ALCOSAN advances wet weather capital projects and initiates industrial waste fee evaluationThe Allegheny County Sanitary Authority has reported $70 million in year-to-date capital spending and hired consulting firm Hatch to evaluate industrial waste surcharges ahead of future rate assessments.

Capital spending reached $70 million by mid-May 2026, driven by wet weather pump station and tunnel design projects.

Hatch was awarded a $77,000 contract to evaluate industrial waste surcharges to align with future rate fees planned for the fall.

The board approved a $1.49 million contract to GPD for a Plant Master Drain Study.

A $150,000 payment was authorized for dust control mitigation at a neighboring business near the wet weather pump station construction site.

The Allegheny County Sanitary Authority (ALCOSAN) is ramping up its 2026 capital program, pushing forward with major wet weather infrastructure while taking steps to update its industrial waste fee structure. During a May 14 board meeting, the Director of Engineering Construction reported that year-to-date capital spending had reached $70 million. Major expenditures are currently driven by the authority's expansion projects, including solids thickening and dewatering, the initiation of the wet weather pump station, and design preparations for the forthcoming tunnel projects. To support its financial and regulatory framework, the board approved a $77,000 service authorization for consulting firm Hatch to conduct an Industrial Waste Surcharge and Fee Evaluation. A staff member noted that industrial waste fees have not been assessed "for a fairly long time." The evaluation is required under the authority's NPDES permit and will benchmark against national programs to align with future rate fees expected to be assessed later in the fall. The board also advanced several other engineering and operational contracts. GPD was awarded a $1,496,520 contract to perform a Plant Master Drain Study. Additionally, in relation to the ongoing wet weather pump station construction, the board authorized a $150,000 payment to the neighboring Sherwin-Williams Company to cover one year of increased filter maintenance for enhanced dust control, characterized as a necessary measure to mitigate the impacts of the large-scale project. On the operational side, Accounting Manager Lori McKay reported steady financial performance for the first third of the year. As of April 30, the authority had collected $93 million, representing 35% of its budgeted revenues, and expended $67 million.