PWSA to Replace Lead Pipes in Squirrel Hill South and Greenfield Neighborhoods

Leading the first half of SHUC’s monthly board meeting on Thursday March 19th, Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) Executive Director Robert Weimer and representatives will be on hand from 6pm to 7pm at the Multipurpose Room at The Children’s Institute to explain more about PWSA’s lead line program.

PWSA has since collected over 160 samples from residential homes that have lead service lines or plumbing; and the 90^th percentile results from the latest round of testing were 20 ppb, exceeding the action level of 15 ppb. Cities similar to Pittsburgh with lead drinking water infrastructure have been using orthophosphate treatment at the plant for improved corrosion control and reduce lead levels. PWSA is in the now in the process of installing the equipment necessary to add orthophosphate and expects it to be applied in early spring 2019.

It is also continuing its program of replacing lead service lines on city’s public streets at no charge, as well as offering financial assistance for homeowners to replace their lead service lines through the Private Lead Line Replacement Community Environmental Project.

PWSA recently mailed an information package to customers eligible for our 2019 Lead Service Line Replacement Program. PWSA representatives will be on hand at the March 19 meeting to help eligible residents sign the agreements. Funding for this program is limited with replacements performed on a first come, first served basis. Homeowners may check if their property is eligible by going to PWSA’s interactive map or call PWSA’s Lead Help Desk at 412.255.8987.