W. Pa. authority seeks cheaper EPA fix

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Allegheny County Sanitary Authority says it will ask the federal Environmental Protection Agency to let it spend just $2 billion upgrading the Pittsburgh area’s sewers because a $3.6-billion fix the EPA wants would increase customer rates more than EPA regulations allow.

Alcosan has already paid a $1.2 million federal fine because the outdated system overflows during heavy rains, sending raw sewage into the city’s three rivers. Under a 2008 consent decree, the authority has until 2026 to fix the problem.

Alcosan officials say their $2 billion plan would double the average annual household bill, which is now $265.

Adhering to the original EPA plan could triple or quadruple that rate, which would be more than 2 percent of some residents’ annual income. Alcosan officials say that would violate EPA regulations.