Pittsburgh Water has dramatically improved drinking water quality and safety in recent years, reporting the lowest ever levels of 2 ppb last year.

As the largest combined water and sewer authority in Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh Water serves a population of more than 500,000 throughout the City of Pittsburgh and surrounding areas. This is a responsibility we don’t take lightly – each day, our team of hardworking, committed employees works hard for you, delivering safe, reliable water services straight to your taps.

The water we treat undergoes rigorous quality testing, and 2025 was no exception. Our team of professionals works 24/7, 365 days a year to safeguard the quality of your drinking water. These teams performed an average of 2,340 water quality tests per month in 2025. Real-time water quality monitoring is critically important, so your water is also tested continuously throughout the treatment process and as it moves through our 965-mile-long distribution system.

Our dedication to water quality means we are constantly reviewing and improving our treatment processes to produce the best possible results for our customers.

Last year, we achieved a historic milestone in water quality, certifying a lead level of 2 parts per billion (ppb). This is the lowest amount of lead ever recorded by Pittsburgh Water and significantly below the 15 ppb federal action level set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This historic success is a direct result of our highly effective water treatment process, including the use of food-grade additive orthophosphate. This safe and effective corrosion control method forms a protective barrier that minimizes the potential for lead to enter tap water. The testing for this record-low result included samples from homes confirmed to still have lead service lines, providing a clear picture of our system’s performance, even in high-risk areas.

Drinking water quality has also been improved as a result of our ongoing lead service line replacement efforts. At the beginning of 2026, we officially replaced our 14,000th lead service line, bringing us that much closer to our 2027 completion goal.

These achievements are not only a testament to the success of our nationally recognized Community Lead Response, but also a reflection of the commitment and devotion our team has shown to delivering safe, clean drinking water to every customer we serve. You can learn more about water quality at www.pgh2o.com/your-water.