Reservoir ducklings are stuck again

As if there isn’t enough scandal and mismanagement at Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority, let’s add another one to the list: the total disregard for wildlife at the Highland Park Reservoir, specifically baby ducklings.

Each spring, ducklings manage to get into the reservoir. Getting out is the problem, as the rubber-lined slope of the reservoir is too steep for most ducklings, and those that manage to make it up cannot escape due to the high concrete curb at the top. The adults and their young circle the reservoir for weeks looking for an escape, until many of the ducklings eventually die of malnutrition. Last year alone, dozens of dead ducklings were found floating in the reservoir, according to one report.

This has been happening for years. A simple Google search for “Highland Park Reservoir ducklings” will produce a number of news stories dating back as far as 2006 detailing the deaths of ducklings that become trapped in the reservoir. As recently as last year, a PWSA spokesperson said the authority would address the problem; yet no solutions have been implemented. When I called PWSA last week, I was told it would “call someone” about the problem. So far — again — no solution has been implemented.

I realize PWSA has many problems to address, but one would think it would take advantage of an opportunity for some rare good press. Imagine, for weeks every spring, cute little ducklings waddling up ramps provided by PWSA. People who have been receiving those errorfilled water bills might think, “Gee, maybe PWSA isn’t all bad.”

This is an easy one, PWSA! Build some ramps so the ducklings can escape, or at least let those of us who care do so. CHRIS MATHYSSEK

Morningside