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.
CMU Stormwater Management Projects
Jared L. Cohon University Center Rain Gardens
Mall Rainwater Collection System
Gates Hillman Computer Science Complex
4721 Fifth Avenue
Tepper Quad
The Tepper Quad collects rain water from the building roof and grounds to a 150,000 gallon cistern located in the building and uses the water for toilet flushing.
Other Projects
Purnell Center for the Arts
Green Roofs