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Communication fromTom Flaherty, City Controller submitting a Performance Audit of Environmental Services Refuse Division, conducted pursuant to the Controller's powers under Section 404(c) of the Pittsburgh Home Rule Charter.
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INTRODUCTION
This performance audit of the Bureau of Environmental Services Refuse Division was conducted pursuant to Section 404(c) of the Pittsburgh Home Rule Charter. Generally accepted governmental auditing standards as established by the United States General Accounting Office were followed. This is the third performance audit of Environmental Services. The Controller's Office released audits of Environmental Services Recycling and Animal Control Divisions in 1995.
OVERVIEW
In 1994 the Department of Environmental Services (ES) became a Bureau of the City's Department of Public Works. The primary responsibility of the Bureau is refuse collection. Other services performed by the Bureau are animal control and, until recently, rodent control. The Bureau's rodent control and companion animal spay and neuter assistance programs have been cancelled because of funding constraints.
Refuse Division
The Refuse Division is administered by the Director of Public Works, the Bureau's Operations Manager, two supervisors and eleven foremen who oversee 172 refuse workers.
Refuse collection is organized into four geographic zones: Northern, Central, Eastern and Southern, representing 115,000 pick up stops. Each truck collects 10-12 tons of trash per day. Solid waste is picked up weekly, recyclables biweekly and bulk waste monthly. According to the Operation's Manager, the City picks up trash at apartment buildings of 5 units or less. An exception to this unit limit currently is made for the Pittsburgh Housing Authority. The City has a garbage collection and truck lease agreement with the Authority. The City agreed to pick up trash from Housing Project dumpsters if the Authority provided the front loade...
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