Tests Show Pittsburgh's Water Still Exceeds Federal Lead Standards

The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) today released the results from its most recent compliance testing for lead, which show the utility’s water system still exceeds federal standards.

According to the company, the 90^th percentile results from the December 2017 testing were 21 parts per billion (pub). Federal standards mandate that water systems not exceed 15 ppb, and PWSA was initially found to be in violation of these regulations in June 2016, when tests showed its system contained 22 ppb.

Samples were taken by customers at 114 residential sites based on a method prescribed under Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and EPA guidelines. Four samples were submitted twice from the same sites, and all samples were taken from homes that have, or are expected to have, lead service lines or plumbing. They were sent by customers directly to an independent, accredited lab, and the results were reviewed and will be calculated by DEP.

Key Findings from PWSA’s December 2017 Lead and Copper Compliance Testing

• 74 percent of the samples collected were below 10 ppb
• 38 were non-detect for lead
• 23 were between 2.1 and 4.9 ppb (parts per billion)
• 27 were between 5 and 9.9 ppb
• 12 were between 10 and 14 ppb
• 4 were between 15 and 19 ppb
• 11 were between 20 and 49 ppb
• 3 were higher than 50 ppb

According to state and federal standards, PWSA must repeat compliance testing every six months until the 90^th percentile level is 15 ppb or below for two consecutive rounds of testing.

Presently, the utility is working to reduce lead exposure to all customers through its Lead Abatement Program.  Under this program, lead service lines are located and replaced as quickly as possible. In addition, under DEP oversight, alternative corrosion control treatment methods have been assessed.

On Jan. 2, 2018, PWSA submitted to DEP preliminary findings of a study recommending the use of orthophosphate to minimize lead corrosion.  The utility expects that the addition of orthophosphate will rapidly reduce lead levels for all homes that have lead service lines or household plumbing as other U.S. cities with lead drinking water infrastructure are using these treatment methods with marked success.

In May 2017, PWSA halted partial lead service line replacements after post-construction lead testing showed that the practice increased levels of lead in some homes. Recent legislative amendments now allow PWSA to replace private lead service lines, making potentially harmful partial replacements unnecessary. As part of a consent order and agreement with DEP, PWSA has committed to replace over 2,000 full lead service lines at no cost to customers over the next year. This $44 million ratepayer-funded project will target replacements in neighborhoods shown to have the presence of young children, who are most at-risk for lead exposure.

“Until we receive regulatory approval of treatment improvements, we expect that the lead levels found in high-risk homes will remain consistent,” said PWSA’s Interim Executive Director Robert A. Weimar. “PWSA is doing everything possible to apply treatment improvements that have been shown to reduce levels of lead in other cities. In addition, our $44 million comprehensive lead service line replacement program for 2018 will replace over 2,000 lead service lines, and includes funding to replace privately-owned lines. I am confident that our replacement program will serve as a national model for other cities struggling to remove aging lead infrastructure.”

As the utility identifies the location of lead service lines, it is notifying residents directly and making the information available to the public on a searchable online map. Also, PWSA continues to offer free lead test kits to Pittsburgh and Millvale residents. Since June 2016, more than 20,000 test kits have been provided to help inform residents about the quality of water in their homes.

 

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