Investing In Safe Water Infrastructure
Editor: Allison Braswell

The Allegheny Valley Joint Sewer Authority (AVJSA) in Pennsylvania is taking action to protect the Allegheny River from discharges of treated sewage and stormwater. By 2023, the facility plans to expand its sewage treatment capacity from the current 5.5 million gallons (about 20819755 L) a day to 8 million gallons (about 30283280 L). Mandated by the EPA, this $75-million project is part of a nationwide effort to prevent raw sewage overflows and inadequately controlled stormwater from discharging into rivers, streams, lakes, and other waterways. AVJSA currently has pump stations in three divisions of Allegheny County (Cheswick, Harmar, and Springdale) that each date back to 1980. It was determined that a new pump station at Cheswick plus a new sewage trunk line from Springdale to Harmar is needed to begin fostering the viability of the county's water and wastewater operations under the mandate.  

Mele & Mele & Sons was awarded the opportunity to construct the new pump station. The equipment the contractor initially used could not get the NZ19 sheet piles driven to the 70' (ft) depths required for the foundation shoring--so they decided to give the equipment experts at ICE® a call. After ICE® reviewed the soils using a WEAP analysis, they determined the need for an ICE® D-50 Diesel Impact Hammer to accomplish the task. Despite working in a snug workspace when installing the NZ19 sheet pile, this powerful hammer succeeded at driving the sheets to the specified depth quickly, easily, and safely. 

The expansion is set to be complete by 2026. Excellent job to Mele & Mele & Sons for addressing Allegheny County's emerging contaminants and helping our nation take a step closer to a world of more clean and resilient water resources. International Construction Equipment, Inc. is proud to have been a small part of this much-needed environmental clean-up. 


Media Contact-    
Pollyanna Cunningham, MA, MBA    
Vice President Marketing, Brand and Media Relations  
Vice President IT and IT Comm 
ICE® - International Construction Equipment, Inc    
Office - 704-821-8200    
Email - marketing@iceusa.com