PWSA pleads guilty to dumping sludge into Allegheny River, falsifying reports

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority was charged federally, and pleaded guilty for violating of the Clean Water Act, U.S. Attorney Scott Brady announced Wednesday.

PWSA knowingly dumped sludge into the Allegheny River and falsified reports to the Environmental Protection Agency for seven years.

PWSA was charged with one count of violating the Clean Water Act, but illegally dumping sludge into the Allegheny River, and seven counts of making false reports to the EPA over seven years.

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Former PWSA Aspinwall Treatment Plant supervisor Glenn Lijewski was also indicted for allegedly diverting sludge from the plant into the river.

The PWSA entered into a plea agreement where the guilty parties will be placed on probation for three years and subjected to audits.

The organization will also have to pay a fine of $500,000, which will fund a self-compliance program.

Also under the agreement, PWSA will not be allowed to raise rates on consumers to help pay the fine.

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Cox Media Group