Our transition to Pittsburgh Water signifies a new era – one with renewed emphasis on water quality, reliability, public health, and our environment.
As a publicly owned and operated water utility, Pittsburgh Water works for you. While our name is changing, we retain our responsibility of stewardship over Pittsburgh's critical water services, and our commitment to strategic reinvestment of ratepayer dollars into our water system. From our ongoing achievements in bringing lead levels to historic lows, to an increased focus on water accessibility and assistance programs for vulnerable customers, Pittsburgh Water is reaffirming our mission to protect public health and the environment. We've made tremendous progress in the past few years, and we have our sights set on an ambitious future.
We're moving forward with a clear vision to transform Pittsburgh’s water system, with a modernized infrastructure that's poised to deliver more secure and reliable water services for decades to come.
So tap in, and pour yourself a refreshing glass of Pittsburgh Water.
Explore Our Progress
Over the past several years, Pittsburgh Water has focused on an array of organizational improvements. In this new era, driven by a renewed emphasis on water reliability, public health, and sustaining our environment, we're on the path to great progress in the areas of Water Quality, Lead Line Replacement, and much needed Infrastructure Investments.
Water Quality
Our commitment to water quality extends to a population of more than 500,000 people throughout Pittsburgh and its surrounding region. We are the largest combined water and sewer authority in Pennsylvania producing an average of 65 million gallons of water daily and providing drinking water to the majority of Pittsburgh.
Ensuring the safe and reliable delivery of drinking water is our top priority. Our dedicated staff at the water treatment plant and in our lab are constantly monitoring and measuring the quality of our drinking water, running 3,000 tests each month to ensure that it meets (and even exceeds) all state and federal drinking water requirements.
Lead Line Replacement
There is no safe level of lead in drinking water, and Pittsburgh Water has worked tirelessly over the past several years to improve our water treatment and testing methods. Now, the drinking water delivered from our Water Treatment Plant consistently meets (and even exceeds) state and federal water quality standards. But the pipes through which your water is delivered play a role as well. That's why we are aggressively working to replace residential lead service lines throughout our service area - and we won't stop until we reach every residence. Having already replaced about 12,000 lead lines and counting, Pittsburgh Water is on track to reach this critical goal by 2027 - well ahead of the national mandate.
Even as we continue this important work, our customers can trust the safety of the water we deliver. Part of our water treatment process includes the addition of orthophosphate, a food-grade additive that's demonstrated to be very effective at reducing corrosion from pipes made of lead, among other materials. Tap in and learn more.
Infrastructure Investments
Our ambitious Water Reliability Plan sets forth a series of once-in-a-generation projects that serve as a significant investment in Pittsburgh’s water infrastructure and will ensure reliable water services for current and future generations of customers. Over the course of fulfilling the Water Reliability Plan, Pittsburgh Water plans to invest nearly $470 million in large-scale infrastructure improvement projects. This invaluable series of projects encompasses some of the most vitally important updates to Pittsburgh's aging water service infrastructure.
Resources & Customer Assistance Programs
Pittsburgh Water knows that access to clean, safe, affordable water is non-negotiable. That’s why our PGH2O Cares team is dedicated to working directly with customers to spread awareness of a variety of available resources, identify ways to reduce water usage, and bolster enrollment in our range of Customer Assistance Programs.
- Bill Discount Program: Provides the first 1,000 gallons of water/wastewater conveyance for free with an additional 85% reduction of the stormwater fee. Over 7,615 customers are currently enrolled and benefitting from this program this year.
- Flexible Payment Arrangements with Arrearage Forgiveness: $40 forgiven monthly for each on-time payment in an active, income-based payment plan.
- Line Repair and Water Conservation Pilot Program: The latest addition to our Customer Assistance Programs offers free leak repairs on exposed plumbing and installation of water saving devices for income-qualified households. We'll also help qualified customers sign up to receive leak alerts and track water usage through the Customer Advantage Portal.
- Hardship Grants: Customers can receive up to $450 in annual grants for each water and wastewater conveyance service. In 2024 alone, 618 hardship grants have been awarded, totaling $313,762.
- Winter Moratorium: From December 1 - March 31, customers are protected from service termination due to non-payment. Available to single-family residential customers earning an annual income at or below 300% of the FPL.
- Lead Service Line Replacement Reimbursement Program: As part of our Community Lead Response, we will assist customers with up to 100% the cost of private lead service line replacement if customers choose to proactively hire a plumber and complete the work.
- Rain Barrel Credit: Pittsburgh Water offers residential customers a one-time $40 credit for an installed rain barrel of at least 50 gallons that captures and detains roof runoff on their property.
- Stormwater Credit: Pittsburgh Water offers a conditional reduction to the stormwater fee assessed to customers who implement certain eligible property modifications or controls which reduce their property’s demand for service.