- Sup, Frankie.
- Marty, you okay?
- Is that an ALCOSAN overflow?
- Yep. When it rains or we see the snow melt, ALCOSAN's system can't handle the excess water and that's water that doesn't need treatment.
- So until their systems expanded, the stormwater is mixed with untreated sewage and is going into the river?
- You got it dude. Is that Kathy?
- Hey fellas, Eww.
- Overflow!
- Brown's just not my color.
- It's not ALCOSAN's either. That's why they have the Clean Water Plan.
- So what's the scoop?
- The clean water plan's how ALCOSAN will improve the quality of our local waterways.
- How will they do it?
- Well, expanding the capacity of their plant for one, also upgrades to the sewers as well as other things that'll make our rivers cleaner. Follow me.
- Now this is the life.
- Much better for my complexion.
- It's the outfall, where all the treated sewage gets put back into our rivers as clean water.
- And the clean water plan will help even more?
- Yep. It calls for important changes that will keep storm water out of the system in the first place.
- Like those GROW projects I've heard about?
- You got it. Once ALCOSAN completes all the work, it will be much cleaner.
- Looks like I'll be hanging around here more often. Later boys.
- Well ALCOSAN and their Clean Water Plan have me hooked.
- Hooked? Really Marty? We're fish.
- Just pulling your fin.
- ALCOSAN really knows what it takes to make sure our waters are cleaner for years to come.
- Still seems like a big job.
- It's huge, dude. It'll take all of our communities on and away from the rivers to do their part and keep our waterways clean.
- Race you to the docks. There's free food.
- Let's eat.
Frankie and Friends are Back
Follow along to learn about overflows and ALCOSAN's Clean Water Plan to improve the quality of our local waterways.
Frankie's World
FRANKIE: Yeah, well as a fish I’m built to you know, swim. I wouldn’t say I’m
a world-class swimmer but I’m good. Like, I can get around fine.
REPORTER: Do you have friends?
FRANKIE: Sure—a lot of’em. Because, the three rivers are like, pretty big. I
mean there’s over 50-plus species of us.
REPORTER: I noticed that.
FRANKIE: That’s why ALCOSAN’s so awesome.
REPORTER: ALCO…what?
FRANKIE: ALCOSAN. They treat all wastewater and make it cleaner going out than it was coming in. And that’s like, a big job. I mean, it’s nice to know they care about our rivers and are trying to make them, you know, better for all of us. Even for those weird things on two legs that use boats and stuff.
REPORTER: So, what can we do to help ALCOSAN keep our waters clean?
FRANKIE: Well, everyone can do their part. I mean, it’s mostly common sense. Like watching what you flush or put down your drains.
REPORTER: For example?
FRANKIE: Well, like old medication…
CATHY CATFISH: Hey, Frankie.
FRANKIE: What’s up, Cathy. What’s that scent?
CATHY CATFISH: You like it? It’s Lawrenceville No. 5. Smells like patchouli oil and quinoa. See ya, honey. Muah.
REPORTER: So, that was rather, um…
FRANKIE: Fragrant? Yeah. Perfume and cologne shouldn’t be put down the drain either. We like to keep our community kind of au natural. That’s French for… something. Also, stuff like, um, lipstick, leaves and grass clippings, trash and paint. It’s mostly common sense but sometimes people like, don’t think much.
REPORTER: The only thing that goes down my drain is water and the occasional leftover grease from coo…
FRANKIE: Cooking grease? That’s a big no-no, dude. You know what it does to your arteries. Like, just imagine that but in our pipes and sewers.
REPORTER: Good point.
FRANKIE: It’s ok. There’s a lot people do that seems kinda harmless. That’s why I’m here. My pals at ALCOSAN like, made me a totally smarter fish. By the way, goldfish funerals. Like, stop flushing them. Give them a proper burial in the backyard like other pets. Rest in peace, Goldie.
MARTY MUSKIE: Yo, Frankie!
FRANKIE: ‘Sup, Marty.
MARTY MUSKIE: Wanna grub? Cousin Eddie’s looking pretty good.
FRANKIE: Ha ha. Thanks, but um, just ate some hot dog buns
over by the Point. Kids on field trips, am I right?
MARTY MUSKIE: Your loss, man. Later.
REPORTER: Did he just…
FRANKIE: Um, so he’s a muskie. He eats like frogs, snakes, birds, even
other muskies. So family parties for him are kind of like a seafood buffet. But I stay on his good side. I mean it’s who he is. Like, let’s all just coexist.
REPORTER: Of course.
FRANKIE: Like I said, the awesome peeps at ALCOSAN just get it. They’ve been
around since 1959 when my Great Great Great Grandfather was like, just a hatchling. As long as they keep doing what they do, me and my friends like Cathy, Marty and Crappie Carl will have like, a really nice place to live.
REPORTER: Did you just say cra…
FRANKIE: Well, yeah. He’s like, a crappie after all.
REPORTER: That’s a rather, un…
FRANKIE: Unfortunate name? Yeah. But hey, he owns it.
REPORTER: Well Frankie, it’s been a pleasure. Thanks for your insight into what goes on down here and how ALCOSAN helps.
FRANKIE: No worries, dude. And if you see my buds at ALCOSAN, tell’em Frankie
said, “Sup.”
Frankie and Friends are Back
- Marty, you okay?
- Is that an ALCOSAN overflow?
- Yep. When it rains or we see the snow melt, ALCOSAN's system can't handle the excess water and that's water that doesn't need treatment.
- So until their systems expanded, the stormwater is mixed with untreated sewage and is going into the river?
- You got it dude. Is that Kathy?
- Hey fellas, Eww.
- Overflow!
- Brown's just not my color.
- It's not ALCOSAN's either. That's why they have the Clean Water Plan.
- So what's the scoop?
- The clean water plan's how ALCOSAN will improve the quality of our local waterways.
- How will they do it?
- Well, expanding the capacity of their plant for one, also upgrades to the sewers as well as other things that'll make our rivers cleaner. Follow me.
- Now this is the life.
- Much better for my complexion.
- It's the outfall, where all the treated sewage gets put back into our rivers as clean water.
- And the clean water plan will help even more?
- Yep. It calls for important changes that will keep storm water out of the system in the first place.
- Like those GROW projects I've heard about?
- You got it. Once ALCOSAN completes all the work, it will be much cleaner.
- Looks like I'll be hanging around here more often. Later boys.
- Well ALCOSAN and their Clean Water Plan have me hooked.
- Hooked? Really Marty? We're fish.
- Just pulling your fin.
- ALCOSAN really knows what it takes to make sure our waters are cleaner for years to come.
- Still seems like a big job.
- It's huge, dude. It'll take all of our communities on and away from the rivers to do their part and keep our waterways clean.
- Race you to the docks. There's free food.
- Let's eat.
ALCOSAN Wastewater Treatment
What Goes in Our Rivers
A lot goes into our rivers.
Some is not what you’d expect.
Since 1959, ALCOSAN has put our passion for clean water into our rivers, making our waterways cleaner, protecting our health.
With too much rain or snow melt, overflows happen.
ALCOSAN is working to fix this.
This means expanding our treatment plant,
taking responsibility for more sewer lines, and creating the best solutions for the future.
It’s going to take all of us putting something into our rivers, too.
Heart. Passion. Action.
Join ALCOSAN to ensure a cleaner future for our rivers now …
… and for generations to come.
Stand with ALCOSAN.
Follow our progress at 3RiversProud.com
5 Things You Didn't Know About ALCOSAN
Number 1: Our job is to treat wastewater.
Number 2: Our Clean Water Plan will reduce overflows by 7 million gallons a year.
Number 3: We maintain 90 Miles of Interceptor Sewers.
Number 4: Our Scholastic Outreach program reaches 20,000+ students annually.
Number 5: Our GROW program has awarded $30+ million to 105 municipal projects.
The Journey to Cleaner Rivers
Animated leaf travels through city, past parks, alongside barges, into neighborhoods, past businesses, illustrating overflow and resolution. Music up and under.
Our rivers.
They nurture us.
They move us.
And they entertain us.
Our rivers.
They sustain us.
They connect us.
And they define us.
Right now, however, our rivers are something else. In trouble.
Too much rain or snow, coupled with an aging infrastructure, stresses our wastewater system.
And that leads to overflows. This doesn’t just harm the environment, it threatens the heart of our region, our identity, our spirit.
You see, our rivers aren’t just our landscape, they are our collective soul.
ALCOSAN has a plan to fix it, the Clean Water Plan.
It’s one of the largest infrastructure projects in our region’s history. And it will take all of us to bring it to life.
Join us.
Learn more about the Clean Water Plan.
Connect with us on social media.
Help write the next chapter of Pittsburgh’s great story.
And be 3 Rivers Proud.
