Pitt Faculty Expert Available to Comment on Potential Storm Water Infrastructure Issues Related to Hurricane Sandy

PITTSBURGH—With Pittsburgh expected to receive nearly three inches of rainfall during Hurricane Sandy’s surge, the city’s storm water system could be taxed—resulting in flash flooding. Now more than ever is the time for city officials to pay attention to the city’s storm water infrastructure systems, according to University of Pittsburgh faculty member Jason Monnell.

“Hurricane Sandy points out the immediate need for updating the combined sewer system per its consent agreement and recently announced $3.6 billion upgrade plan,” said Monnell, assistant professor in Pitt’s Swanson School of Engineering. “Any storm that puts out more than three-fourths of an inch of rain causes the sewers to overflow, and this superstorm is going to be yet another example of that.”

Monnell also raises concern for topographically lower areas in Pittsburgh but notes that they may fare better this time around.
 
“There’s a serious lack of drainage in the lower regions throughout Pittsburgh such as Washington Boulevard, which flooded in 2011. Subsequently, it has had a closure system installed, and we will likely see if drainage updates to the system will be needed given the power of this storm.”

Monnell is available to comment through email on Pittsburgh’s storm water and sewer systems as they relate to rainfall impact during Hurricane Sandy. He may be reached at monnell@pitt.edu.

Monnell’s group at Pitt uses surface chemistry and systems engineering to innovate new technologies aimed at achieving clean energy, clean water, and clean air. Monnell graduated in 2005 with his PhD in chemistry from the Pennsylvania State University. He joined Pitt that same year as a research associate and laboratory manager and was promoted to assistant professor and laboratory director in 2007. He has been involved in several accomplished research projects, including a multiyear monitoring of water quality in Pittsburgh’s Frick Park and highway runoff in Centre County, Pa. 

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10/29/12/amm/cjhm