Pittsburgh Regional Stormwater Management

The Pittsburgh region's frequent rainfall brings an underground, out-of-sight problem into clear view. As little as one-tenth of an inch of rain—an average Pittsburgh rainfall is one-quarter inch—can cause raw sewage to overflow into our rivers and streams. Melting snow can cause the same effect.  Untreated sewage streams into waterways, overflows from manholes or backs up into homeowners' basements.  Nationally, stormwater runoff is our most common cause of water pollution.

During dry weather, the combined storm and sewage collection system, which transports wastewater from thousands of homes to the wastewater treatment plant, operates effectively.

Carnegie Mellon has sustained millions of dollars of damage from stormwater in recent years and have taken some steps to capture or divert rainwater during storm events.  Below are some of the practices we utilize. To learn more about regional stormwater management issues go to the 3 Rivers Wet Weather web site.

Carnegie Mellon Stormwater Management