Millvale is part of a just watershed with productive and pleasurable landscapes.
Millvale’s identity has been formed by water through its location along the Allegheny River and the historic Girty’s Run flooding in the area. The Borough along with its partners have been working to expand that identity beyond flooding and into water conservation and green infrastructure. Green stormwater infrastructure like the rain gardens at the Library and in the Borough parking lot, street tree plantings in the business district, as well as bioswales located near the historic Mt. Alvernia Campus, are examples of green infrastructure that was implemented by Western PA Conservancy and the Borough of Millvale. Residents and businesses continue to implement similar projects to reduce the impact of stormwater runoff. In addition, over the past decade Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority has and continues to invest in public health improvements by removing lead water service lines in hundreds of properties.
As studies identify key low-cost high-return locations for further green infrastructure investments, residents can look forward to seeing even more gardens as well as rain barrels throughout town. In these efforts, Millvale is also partnering with a number of neighboring municipalities. In 2024, in partnership with the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, members of the Millvale Ecodistrict Collaborative supported the competition of the Lower Girty’s Run Watershed Conservation and Management Plan. This plan, which was formally recognized by Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), identifies primary concerns around the watershed and the presence of water resources, as well as makes recommendations for projects that would be beneficial to the watershed.
Two highly visible flood mitigation prevention projects are slated to be completed in 2025. This includes green infrastructure at Rainbow Raccoon Park and stormwater retention and greywater reuse at the Millvale Food + Energy Hub.