Visit our Water Conservation page to learn how you can take action every day to conserve water, which helps reduce your water bill, protect the environment, and save limited water resources for future generations. 

Visit our Leak Detection page to learn how to detect and repair leaks from common household sources such as toilets, faucets, showerheads, and those that occur outside.  

Visit our Understanding Your Water Meter page to learn more about your water meter, how it tracks daily water usage, and ensures accurate readings.

Visit our Protecting Your Pipes page to learn some simple steps to prevent or fix frozen or broken pipes in your home or business. 

After we work on your water line, you will need to flush your household plumbing for at least 30 minutes. It is also good to flush your service lines periodically if you have lead, even if you haven't done service line work.

Flushing video

Before anyone in your house drinks water or turns on the hot water in any faucets, you will need to follow these steps to flush out your faucets, bathtubs, and showers

• Throw away any ice in your freezer. If you have an automatic ice maker, shut it off.
  Tip: Do not use any filtered water from your refrigerator or any other source until you complete the flushing.
• Unscrew and remove the aerators from all of your sinks and taps.
  Tip: If your aerator is difficult to remove, you may need to use a pair of pliers.
• Once your aerators are removed, separate the parts and remove any debris. Soak the parts in white vinegar and scrub them with a brush.
• Starting at the lowest level of your home and working your way up, fully turn on all the cold water taps in your sinks, tubs, and showers.
  Tip: Make sure to turn on any taps and hose spigots on the outside of your house as well.
• After you turn on the last tap, allow the water to run for at least 30 minutes.
• Starting at the highest level of your home and working your way down, shut off each of your water taps.

To remove any potential debris from construction and minimize your exposure to lead in your water, it is important that you thoroughly flush your household plumbing.

Please be advised that lead levels in your water may be elevated for up to six months following construction.

For more information about water safety, usage of NSF-approved water filters, and other questions you may have, please contact the Lead Help Desk at 412-255-8987 or at LeadHelp@pgh2o.com.

Visit our Water Discoloration page to learn about the causes of water discoloration, which can be the result of hydrant flushing or water main repairs in your neighborhood.

Visit our Taste and Odor page to learn about why your water may taste or smell different.

During the winter months, water that comes out of your tap can sometimes appear to be “cloudy.” This discoloration is usually caused by harmless air bubbles because cold water simply holds more air than warm water. Also, water out of a faucet holds more air since it is under pressure. If you let the water settle for a few minutes, the air bubbles will no longer be visible.

At our Backflow Prevention & Cross Connection page, our commercial customers can learn about backflow prevention devices, cross-connections, associated regulations, and frequently asked questions relating to backflow prevention and cross-connections. 

Visit our Sewage Backups page to find out what steps you should take in the event of a sewage backup in your home or business. 

Visit our Common Issues & Questions page for important information about issues related to PWSA projects & maintenance.