Grant Funding for Lead Service Line Replacements Keeps Coming

This $32.1 million award will go towards removing our lead service lines and generate approximately $56 million in economic benefit for our community.
Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator for the EPA’s Office of Water Bruno Pigott watches as crews replace lead service lines on Hazelwood Avenue. Lead service line replacement work being preformed on Hazelwood Ave.

PWSA is pleased to announce we were recently awarded a $32.1 million funding package from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) to continue the aggressive removal of lead service lines throughout our service area. This funding is split between $13.8 million in grants – marking the largest grant PWSA has received from PENNVEST – and $18.3 million in low-interest loans.  

Over time, funding from external partners helps to reduce the financial burden on ratepayers during a period of necessary, unprecedented investment in our essential water systems. This round of funding will save ratepayers nearly $50 million over the next thirty years when compared to the issuing of municipal bonds.  

PWSA estimates this award will help us replace 1,375 public and 1,260 private lead service lines in the Borough of Millvale and ten Pittsburgh neighborhoods, including Mount Washington, South Side Slopes, South Side Flats, Garfield, Upper Lawrenceville, Central Northside, Manchester, Perry North, Perry South, and Spring Hill-City View. 

Proactively removing lead service lines is the most effective way to eliminate the presence of lead in drinking water and enhances our ability to protect public health now and for future generations.

The work PWSA is undertaking throughout our communities has a direct economic impact on our region. This nearly $32 million award will generate approximately $56 million in economic benefit, helping to fuel our local economy, create jobs, and keep money in our communities. 

Since 2018, PWSA has received from PENNVEST a combination of $637 million in low-interest loans and $62 million in grants, totaling $699 million. Combined, these funding packages received are projected to save ratepayers more than $635 million when compared to traditional financing received through municipal loans.  

As a publicly owned and operated water utility, every dollar we receive is reinvested back into the water systems that serve those living and working in Pittsburgh. To learn more about the Authority’s finances, please visit our PGH2O Finance webpage.