Company that previously ran PWSA speaks out about controversial chemical switch

PITTSBURGH — Fallout from a Target 11 investigation where we found emails that shed light on who made the chemical switch that led to higher lead levels in Pittsburgh's water.

"We are so grateful to you and your team at Channel 11 for the sound investigative reporting that you guys have done," said Alethea Harney, vice president of communications for Veolia, the company that ran PWSA for more than three years.

Veolia representatives are speaking out for the first time, saying they were frustrated with what they heard and saw in the exclusive Target 11 investigation.

"We were absolutely dumbfounded," Harney said. "We couldn't believe that you guys had found evidence, presented it to Acklin, and he still had the nerve to come up with lies."

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Earlier this week, Target 11 revealed exclusive emails that point to PWSA employees, not Veolia making the controversial chemical switch that has been blamed for higher lead levels.

But the mayor's chief of staff blamed it on a culture of cost-cutting created by Veolia.

"The contract itself incentivized them to make decisions like this one, which was to save money, which may have put the system more at risk," Mayor Bill Peduto's chief of staff, Kevin Acklin, said.

"That kind of language is disappointing and it's a disservice to the people of Pittsburgh because it's not true and Mr. Ackliin knows that," Harney said. "The fact of the matter is that Veolia is a company that is committed to a culture that's going to be focused on health and safety. We would never put cost cutting measures in front of that and for him to suggest otherwise is flat out wrong."

During Target 11's interview earlier this week, Acklin also blasted Veolia for failing to notify the Department of Environmental Protection about the chemical change.

"Absolutely not. It wasn't our responsibility and further, the emails that you've showed to the viewers and everyone at home, now knows we didn't know about it," Harney said. "So even if it was our responsibility, we weren't told until months later."

Acklin called Veolia's response "nonsense" and the city intends to hold them responsible.

The city of Pittsburgh sued Veolia for $12 million. Veolia says the city still owes it $3 million.

The two sides are headed to arbitration next month.

Cox Media Group