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HOW THE PROGRAM OPERATES
Organizational Structure
3 Rivers Wet Weather comprises a six-member
staff that uses the input of a wide range of experts to develop
long-term strategies and carry out the day-to-day operations of
the program. A five-member
Board of Directors oversees the legal, financial and policymaking
activities of the organization. In addition, 3RWW receives in-kind
technical and administrative support from ALCOSAN and the Allegheny
County Health Department.
In order for the program's efforts to be successful, we needed
to build commitment and increase awareness among municipalities.
Thus, 3 Rivers Wet Weather appointed approximately 25 elected officials,
municipal representatives, engineers and environmental groups to
a Stakeholders
Committee. These committee members help to define the
best course of action to address the region's sewer problems, and
they act as ambassadors carrying the message back to their communities
where they help to raise awareness levels among a variety of audiences.
Following the goal of building commitment among broader audiences,
the 3RWWDP recruited volunteers for four Advisory
Panels—Science and Technology, Citizens and Institutional,
and Finance. Each panel comprises 25-30 members, including specialists,
such as engineers, financial professionals, municipal officers and
environmental advocates, who also meet to discuss specific wet weather
issues according to their panel's focus.
For example, the Finance
Advisory Panel, recognizing that much of the area's sewer
overflows are caused by illegally connected rainspouts or deteriorated
pipes that connect from private homes to the public sewer system,
is exploring ways to help fund homeowners' efforts to correct those
problems. The panel has also developed a Municipal
Funding Resource Guide to assist communities.
The Science
and Technology Advisory Panel has worked diligently on creating
a near real-time calibrated
radar rainfall system, which gives municipal engineers access to
accurate rainfall data (within 1 sq. km) and historic rainfall amounts
that help to evaluate and address wet weather issues in their communities.
In addition, this panel spearheaded the development of standards
and protocols that will ensure accurate and consistent data is gathered
in all communities for effective sewer rehabilitation.
The Citizens
and Institutional Advisory Panel brainstormed the idea
of creating an educational video to help increase homeowners' awareness
of the region's wet weather sewer overflow problem in the region.
The panel also has discussed approaches to regionalizing the operation
and maintenance of the county's sewage collection systems.
The Stormwater
Advisory Panel was formed in 2003 to provide a forum
to learn, share and collaborate on approaches to stormwater management,
a key component of the wet weather issue. This panel also provides
support to the municipalities of Allegheny County which are now
required to have Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Syustem (MS4) NPDES
Permits for Stormwater Discharges.
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