PITTSBURGH \u2014 Ice in the Allegheny River blocked intake to Pittsburgh Water\u2019s treatment plant on Tuesday, causing concern for water pressure and service. <\/p>\n
The blockage was \u201crestricting capacity and preventing normal pumping operations\u201d in Pittsburgh Water\u2019s service area, according to Mayor Corey O\u2019Connor\u2019s Office. The water company later said the obstruction reduced the volume of treated water produced at the plant. <\/p>\n
O\u2019Connor\u2019s office, in its initial announcement at 10:45 a.m., said the blockage could have impacted pressure and water service, especially in higher elevation neighborhoods. But, Pittsburgh Water says it was able to maintain service throughout the blockage. <\/p>\n
Pittsburgh Water and emergency responders worked to clear the ice formation, with the assistance of a barge and tugboat. By 11:25 a.m., some of the ice had been broken up. Ongoing mitigation includes \u201cmanual tactics\u201d to keep ice away from the intake, like breaking the ice from above, hosing and mechanical efforts from a barge to break ice and debris. <\/p>\n
The water company said pumping capacity had returned to normal by 1 p.m. <\/p>\n
The water company says ice is common in the Allegheny River at this time of year, but this incident was unique because it wasn\u2019t easy to clear. <\/p>\n
As cold weather is expected to persist, Pittsburgh Water is monitoring the situation, along with keeping an eye on water levels in storage tanks. At this time, there hasn\u2019t been any damage observed around the intake center. <\/p>\n
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