By: Noel Rangel
On sunny April 17th, 2026, twenty-three ASCE members were treated to an exclusive tour of ALCOSAN's wastewater treatment plant, including their recent award-winning North-End Plant Expansion. Led by Jeff Argyros, Manager of Capital Projects at ALCOSAN and former ASCE PGH Board Member, we laid eyes on the lowest point of elevation in Allegheny County, explored a section of the thousands of feet of subsurface passageways (which resembled the USS Enterprise), the piece de resistance, the North-End Plant Expansion, and everything in between.
This work was done to improve water quality in the region and meet ALCOSANs Consent Decree requirement of increasing the secondary treatment capacity from 250 million gallons per day (mgd) to 295 mgd by 2025. The new additions at the north end of the plant include: two circular final clarifiers, a chlorine contact tank, a chemical storage building, and a new outfall that discharges the treated flow into the Ohio River. We’re excited to see (what we can of) the tunnels next!
To learn more about EWRI Pittsburgh, the technical presentations and tours we provide, and other Environmental and Water Resource related topics, please reach out to Chairperson John Wall jon@shadysidepa.com or Vice Chairperson McKenzie Nugent mnugent@msconsultants.com.
Photo: EWRI Pittsburgh Chapter standing over the new outfall at the Award Winning ALCOSAN North-End Plant Expansion
