Pittsburgh Water expands lead pipe replacement

Pittsburgh Water is moving its lead service line replacement program into Highland Park, Shadyside, Bloomfield and Lawrenceville, with construction expected to begin in mid-August, the utility said. The work is part of the final stretch of a citywide effort that the utility says remains on track to remove all residential lead service lines by late 2027. Customers whose properties are included in this phase have already been mailed agreement packets and are being asked to return required forms to keep the projects on schedule. ### Which neighborhoods are included in this next phase? The July 29 announcement named Highland Park, Shadyside, Bloomfield and Lawrenceville as the next neighborhoods where Pittsburgh Water is preparing to begin replacement work. In its January funding announcement, the utility identified the Lawrenceville work more specifically as Central Lawrenceville. (pgh2o.com) About 1,610 lead service lines are expected to be replaced with this funding package, including 770 public lines and 840 private lines, according to Pittsburgh Water. The utility said the work covers both the publicly owned and privately owned portions of the line that connect homes to the water main. ### Where is the money coming from, and how much is grant money? (pgh2o.com) PENNVEST awarded Pittsburgh Water $31,510,340 for this phase, the utility said on Feb. 2. That total consists of a $15,903,876 grant and a $15,606,464 low-interest loan. Mayor Corey O'Connor said in the January release that the funding was “record-setting” for the program. (pgh2o.com) Pittsburgh Water said the grant portion was the largest grant in that award package and that the money is intended to support lead removal while lowering customer costs. ### What does this mean for residents on affected blocks? (pgh2o.com) Mid-August is the expected construction start, but Pittsburgh Water said not every house on a project street will need a replacement because service line materials vary by property. Residents whose properties are part of the work are expected to receive more detailed scheduling and access information before crews arrive. (pgh2o.com) Temporary service interruptions are expected during construction, Pittsburgh Water said. The utility said it will provide advance notice to affected households and will restore sidewalks and repave roadways after the work is completed. ### How far along is Pittsburgh’s broader lead line program? Since 2016, Pittsburgh Water said it has replaced more than 27,000 public and private lead service lines across its drinking water service area. (pgh2o.com) In the January release, the utility said that total included more than 14,000 public lines and 10,600 private lines removed at no direct cost to ratepayers. (pgh2o.com) The utility said it has already replaced nearly 25,000 public and private lead lines in 68 of the 73 neighborhoods where it provides drinking water. Pittsburgh Water has said the program is entering the final locations where service line verification and lead pipe removal are still needed. ### Why is Pittsburgh Water still replacing lines if water testing has improved? (pgh2o.com) Pittsburgh Water has tied the replacement program to its goal of fully removing lead service lines from the system, rather than relying only on treatment and testing results. The utility said replacing lead service lines is one of its most important public health and drinking water quality investments. (pgh2o.com) A 2024 federal mandate requires drinking water systems to replace lead lines within 10 years, according to WESA’s reporting on a separate Pennsylvania lead line project. That broader regulatory backdrop has accelerated replacement work across the state. ### What happens next, and where can residents get details? August 11 is the start date for virtual community meetings that Pittsburgh Water said will help residents learn the replacement process, ask questions and hear from project staff. (pgh2o.com) The utility directed customers to its lead program page and its “Upcoming Community Meetings” listings for registration and project information. (wesanews.org) Late 2027 is the utility’s current target for removing all residential lead service lines in its service area. Before then, Pittsburgh Water said customers in the four neighborhoods should watch for scheduling notices, property access instructions and other project updates tied to this phase. (pgh2o.com)