City of Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh Water, PA

Residents of Pittsburgh experience chronic adverse impacts from flooding and sewage overflows, which will worsen as changing annual weather patterns lead to more frequent and severe rainfall events. However, the large amount of vacant land available in Pittsburgh, especially in neighborhoods where disinvestment and declining populations have led to a decrease in population density, offers promising potential to help address these stormwater challenges.

This project will establish the foundation for a joint program between the City of Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Water for the strategic conversion of vacant lots to green stormwater infrastructure (GSI). The program will help to address flooding and water quality challenges by advancing GSI implementation in areas facing particularly high rates of combined sewer overflows, flood risks and other environmental impacts across Pittsburgh, while providing economic and health benefits for residents in neighborhoods with large amounts of vacant land.

The project includes the development of research on key findings and best practices from other municipal vacant lot and stormwater management efforts; federal funding and financing navigation; GSI performance and cost/benefit metrics; an operations and maintenance plan; a cost-sharing protocol; a protocol for private property acquisition; and a site analysis to evaluate optimal vacant lot locations for GSI projects. WaterNow, the City, and Pittsburgh Water will partner with local organizations to engage community members throughout the course of this project.

Stay tuned! This project is currently underway.