• Municipal Building

Water Authority

Offices

601 Thorn Street
Sewickley, PA 15143
Phone: 412-741-9180
E-Mail - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Pump Station

Phone: 412-741-7238

Water System Overview

The Commissioners of Sewickley Water Works were established in 1873. In 1948 the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PAPUC) ordered the Sewickley Water Works to assume operation of the failing Haysville Water Company. In 1980 as result of PAPUC regulation the Commissioners of Sewickley Water Works were dissolved and reorganized as the current Borough of Sewickley Water Authority (the Authority).

The Authority’s water system serves Sewickley Borough, Glen Osborne Borough, Haysville Borough, Sewickley Heights Borough, as well as customers in Edgeworth Borough and Aleppo Township, and Bell Acres Borough.  Currently the Authority is governed by a seven-member board who are appointed by Sewickley Borough Council.

Our water system consists of three sources of water intakes (two wells and a crib), a treatment plant, one covered reservoir, one storage tank, two pump stations, about 40 miles of main line piping, approximately 2,200 customer service connections and meters, nearly 300 fire hydrants, and more than 1,200 main line valves.

The Authority office is located on the second floor of the Sewickley Borough building at 601 Thorn Street.

Each year the Authority publishes a Consumer Confidence Report regarding the water supply. The most recent report is available at 601 Thorn Street.

Water Conservation

You can play a role in conserving water and save yourself money in the process by becoming conscious of the amount of money your household is using and by looking for ways to use less whenever you can. It is not hard to conserve water. Here are a few tips:

  • Automatic dishwashers use 15 gallons per cycle, regardless of how many dishes are loaded. SO get a run for your money and load it to capacity.
  • Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth
  • Check every faucet in your home for leaks.. Just a slow drip can waste 15 to 20 gallons a day. Fix it and you can save almost 6000 gallons per year.
  • Check your toilets for leaks by putting a few drops of food coloring in the tank. Watch for a few minutes to see if the color shows up in the bowl. It is not uncommon to lose up to 100 gallons a day from an invisible toilet leak. Fix it and you save more than 30,000 gallons a year.
  • Use your water meter to detect hidden leaks. Simply turn off all taps and water-using appliances. Then check the meter after 15 minutes. If it moved, you have a leak.

Water Facts

Why does my water sometimes look "milky"?

The "milky" look is sometimes caused by tiny air bubbles in the water. The water in the pipes coming into your home or business might be under a bit of pressure, and gasses (the air) are dissolved and trapped in the pressurized water as it flows into your glass. As the air bubbles rise in the glass, they break free at the surface, thus clearing up the water. Although the milky appearance might be disconcerting, the air bubbles won't affect the quality or taste of the water.

How much water is used during a typical shower?

The Federal Energy Policy Act set a nationwide regulation that limits showerheads to a maximm flow of 2.5 gallons per minute (GPM). Showerheads made before 1980 are rated at 5 GPM. Since the average shower is estimated to last 8.2 minutes, the old showerheads use 41 gallons of water, while the newer, low-flow showerheads use only 21 gallons.

Is it okay to use hot water from the tap for cooking and drinking?

No, always use cold water. Hot water is more likely to contain rust, copper, and lead from household plumbing and water heaters. These substances can dissolve into hot water faster than they do into cold water, especially when the faucet has not been used for an extended period of time.

How many contaminants are regulated in drinking water?

THe U.S. EPA regulates over 80 contaminants in drinking water. Some states may choose to regulate additional contaminants or to set stricter standards, but all states must have standards at least as stringent as the U.S. EPA's.

 

Information on other ways that you can help conserve water can be found here.