Pittsburgh must pursue public solutions to PWSA problems

As a city resident I concur with the sentiment expressed in the article “Privatizing Pittsburgh’s Water System Is Not a Good Idea, Officials Say” (Feb. 17). I know that the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority is currently facing serious problems as identified by city Controller Michael Lamb in his report, but privatization is definitely not the answer.

Our experience with Veolia, the Paris-based company hired to help PWSA, resulted in staff layoffs (e.g., safety and water quality managers and laboratory staff, etc.), reducing the authority’s ability to monitor water quality. Under Veolia, PWSA switched to a cheaper corrosion control treatment

doing the required testing and notification to the state Department of Environmental Protection. This change is likely the cause for the increased lead levels in our water, and a lawsuit against Veolia is pending.

In 2013, the year after Veolia was hired, a 20 percent rate increase over four years was approved. Veolia’s contract gave it 50 percent of all savings. That seems like a large incentive to cut costs no matter what the impact on water quality. Pittsburgh taxpayers paid Veolia $11 million over the course of the contract.

Pittsburgh was not alone in being negatively impacted by privatization of water. Atlanta, Indianapolis and Gladewater, Texas, were similarly affected by cuts in staff, increased rates and taxpayer funds being unnecessarily spent to end contracts.

I am sure there are public solutions to PWSA’s difficulties (e.g., public-public partnerships, green bonds, municipal bonds). Those solutions must be pursued. BARB GROVER

Squirrel Hill