Peduto seeks to enlarge PWSA board of directors

Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto is asking the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority to expand its board of directors by two members, and on Thursday he announced the creation of a committee to recruit and recommend people for the positions.

PWSA directors could vote on the mayor’s request as early as Friday.

Peduto named the following civic leaders to serve on the committee:

• Community College of Allegheny County President Quintin Bullock.
• Former Regional Asset District Executive Director David Donahoe.
• Women for a Healthy Environment Executive Director Michelle Naccarati-Chapkis.
• Former University of Pittsburgh Chancellor Mark Nordenberg.
• Heinz Endowments President Grant Oliphant.

The PWSA board would expand from seven to nine members under Peduto’s request “to bring more leadership and oversight to the publicly owned authority,” according to the Mayor’s Office.

A panel assembled by the mayor several years ago to suggest solutions to chronic problems at PWSA, including tainted water and crumbling, century-old infrastructure, recommended the committee.

All board nominations are subject to City Council approval.