The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority's board is putting people's health and pocketbooks at risk by failing to address sewage and stormwater management problems in the city, a member of the board said on Friday.
The agency began operating with interim executive directors in December. Patrick Dowd, who also is a city councilman, described the failure to appoint a permanent management team "pathetic and enormous."
Board Chairman Dan Deasy accused Dowd of being disingenuous.
"It's grandstanding. I always respected Patrick, but what he did (yesterday) was a joke," Deasy said.
Residents and business owners across the city, particularly in East End neighborhoods, complained bitterly this year about a lack of response from PWSA after heavy rains in July and August backed up sewage into their homes and stores. Joel Sigal, owner of Littles Super Shoe Store in Squirrel Hill, said during a public meeting in October that he and other store owners have been trying to get PWSA to correct the problem for 20 years.
"These failures cost ratepayers in the form of money out the door and in the form of complaints," Dowd said. "This is critical infrastructure that affects people each and every day. It's about health and safety. We have no leader, which means we have no direction."
Executive Director Michael Kenney resigned under fire in December over a controversial water and sewer line insurance program. Finance Director Stephen Simcic and water operations Director Thomas Palmosina have since shared management duties.
PWSA provides water and sewer services to 250,000 customers in Pittsburgh and the surrounding area. Dowd erupted after the board postponed voting on a resolution seeking proposals from companies for management services.
Deasy, a Democratic state representative from Westwood, blamed himself for the delay, saying he's been tied up in Harrisburg for several weeks. He vowed the board would be ready to vote by its next meeting on Dec. 9.
"There's no jeopardy to the public, whether it's done today or on Dec. 9," Deasy said. "We want to make sure we get this done right."
The board first has to reach a consensus about whether to hire an executive director, an outside management team, or a combination of both, he said.
Dowd said the authority's managers are recommending a rate increase to help pay off authority debt, which amounts to about $663 million. The authority budget this year is about $145 million, about 25 percent of which goes to debt payments.
"We've got a very large amount of debt, just short of $700 million, and about half of that is variable rate," Dowd said. "Very risky."
Mayor Luke Ravenstahl said Dowd's comments were politically motivated. The mayor appoints PWSA board members, but they must be confirmed by city council.
"I think it's a bit self-serving to say that people are in danger," he said. "I don't believe that."
Deasy said Dowd did not attend a finance committee meeting following the board's regular meeting in which members discussed the financial situation.
"I was there, Scott Kunka was there, the bond council was there, but Patrick was out talking to the media," Deasy said.
