Controller: PWSA audit reveals ‘perfect storm of mistakes and incompetence'

Pittsburgh City Controller Michael Lamb released the results of a performance audit of the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority on Thursday.

Lamb’s investigation was done before a boil water advisory was issued in January and a current large leak amid low water levels at two reservoirs.

“Everywhere we turned, there were problems at PWSA,” Lamb said.

His report found inconsistent leadership at the authority, including multiple executive directors over the past several years.

Lamb also said that lead levels have increased since 2013, and that it will take a “significant financial commitment” to correct the issue. The review covered the years 2012 – 2016.

The audit also looked at problems with billing and meters over the past few years, which Lamb called a “perfect storm of mistakes and incompetence.”

Lamb said a software conversion, new meters and new meter-reading technology were not properly coordinated, resulting in some customers receiving bills for thousands of dollars while others received no bills at all. Lamb said he did not receive a bill from PWSA for a year.

The report found that customer service also continues to be a problem, with an out-of-date phone system that cannot properly track complaints and an emergency line with automated answering.

Lamb’s report will be given to Pennsylvania Auditor General Eugene DePasquale, who is about to begin his own review of the authority.

DePasquale was given full access to PWSA by board members in the wake of a boil water advisory from Jan. 31 to Feb. 2 that impacted about 100,000 customers in more than 20 Pittsburgh neighborhoods.

Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection ordered the boil water advisory after tests at the Highland Park reservoir indicated there wasn’t enough chlorine in the water. City officials said there was never any confirmation of contamination, and they are investigating the cause of the failed tests.

DePasquale, who joined Lamb at a news conference, said Thursday that his investigation will focus on determining if the PWSA’s governance structure and decision-making process are adequate to provide effective oversight of its operations and fiduciary responsibilities.

Both Lamb and DePasquale said PWSA needs to develop and follow a long-term plan for improvement.

DePasquale’s review will cover Jan. 1, 2014, through the end of the audit, which is expected to be later this year.

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Cox Media Group