Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority

For this conversation, we met with Mike Czypinski, Water Quality Data Manager, at the Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority. Czypinski discusses upcoming PFAS and HAB (Harmful Algal Bloom) challenges, and more.

Fontus Blue: How long have you been in the industry?

Czypinski: 6.5 years in water and about 13 years in environmental science.
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‍Fontus Blue: What is the size of the community you serve?

Czypinski: ~480,000 and 3 consecutive systems with ~3,300, 5,000, and 10,000 customers each.
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‍Fontus Blue: What challenges are utility companies facing this year? What do you expect to be an upcoming challenge in 2023? What about the next 5 years?

Czypinski: PFAS is being discussed nearly every day and we have to be up to speed on the regs and current technologies, Lead appears to be waning as a topic but will likely gear up again with the implementation of the updated Lead and Copper Rule in October 2024.Our regional regulators are very focused on CT and turbidityI expect HABs on the larger PA rivers will become a larger problem within the next 5 years.
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‍Fontus Blue: How do water utility companies that work with Fontus Blue change/improve operations?

Czypinski: We have instituted more precise adjustments to chemical dosage, and historic trends are handy as well as reports of cost savings for executive leadership.
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‍Fontus Blue: If you could share one piece of advice with other utility personnel and leaders in the space, what would it be?

Czypinski: Consider investing in GAC or PAC for surface water applications.
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‍Fontus Blue: What are some relevant newsletters, blogs, or industry leaders you follow for insights and inspiration?

Czypinski: WaterISAC, WaterSuite, AWWA resources, and publications of various state regulatory bodies of other states offer helpful instructions.
Mike Czypinski
Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority
Water Quality Data Manager
Decision Blue Customer Since 2022
Access to Weekly Office Hours

Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority

The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority provides service to more than 500,000 customers throughout the City of Pittsburgh and surrounding areas. PWSA is the largest combined water and sewer authority in Pennsylvania producing an average of 70 million gallons of water daily and providing drinking water to the majority of Pittsburgh and surrounding areas. Ensuring the safe and reliable delivery of drinking water is PWSA’s top priority.

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Fontus Blue

Fontus Blue, headquartered in Akron, Ohio, offering multi-objective decision support software services. Fontus Blue provides dedicated partnerships to utilities and plant personnel, working hand-in-hand to craft tailored solutions that ensure the delivery of exceptional drinking water to their customers. Fontus Blue’s network includes utilities in more than twelve states across the Their clients use Decision Blue daily to provide exceptional drinking water to millions of customers.

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