Watersheds of South Pittsburgh, along with 5 regional water resource NGOs (Three Rivers Waterkeeper, Upstream Pittsburgh, The Monwater Project, The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, and the Pittsburgh Water Collaboratory), have engaged in early strategic conversations focused on developing transformative change around water quality and water quantity in our region.

Currently, there are initiatives at the regional (SWPA Water Network) and Ohio River Basin (Ohio River Basin Alliance) scale bringing together a variety of groups to collaborate on projects and advocacy. However, there is a need and desire to enhance cooperation and coordination at the urban and first-tier “suburban core” of Pittsburgh to influence impactful projects and drive change.

These discussions have laid bare the importance of formalizing a strategic partnership that capitalizes on the strengths of each organization to further improvements in water quality and flood mitigation. The six organizations listed recognize that the issues can be most effectively met through regional cooperation around joint projects, changes in public policy, and increased enforcement of the existing laws and ordinances. Developing this “council” will require understanding shared priorities and goals, as well as identifying the services and structure that best support collective action.

To date, the group has engaged the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) around this concept of creating a Three Rivers Urban Watersheds Council, as well as the development of a regional Integrated Water Resources Plan (IWRP). The IWRP will further the vision of the Council and lay the groundwork for a shared approach to achieving enhanced water quality in the urban core of the Pittsburgh region.

This effort has been tentatively approved under the USACE Section 22 Planning Assistance to States Program and will likely kick-off in 2025 or 2026.