Lead Service Lines in Pittsburgh, PA

Pittsburgh's water is delivered by 44 different water systems serving a total of 871,697 residents. The five largest utilities—Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority (520,000 people), West View Water Authority (200,000), Plum Borough Municipal Authority (27,500), Pittsburgh International Airport (26,915), and Fox Chapel Authority (18,500)—serve most of the region.

What we know about lead service lines in Pittsburgh

Currently, no confirmed lead service line counts have been published for Pittsburgh's water systems. This doesn't mean there are no lead lines in the ground—it means the inventories either haven't been completed, haven't been made public, or data wasn't available when this directory was last updated.

Lead service lines are pipes that connect the water main in the street to your home. If your service line is lead, water can pick up lead as it travels to your tap. The risk is highest for babies, young children, and pregnant people. Older homes (built before the 1980s) are more likely to have lead service lines, especially in cities like Pittsburgh where they were common.

Finding out if your home has a lead service line

Start by contacting your local water utility directly:

• Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority: Check your water bill for contact information, or visit their website.
• Other utilities: If you live outside the city proper, identify which of the 43 other systems serves your address, then contact them.

When you call, ask:

• Does your service line inventory include my address?
• Has my home been inspected for lead service lines?
• If yes, what material is my line?

Your utility may have partial records in older documents, field inspection data, or permit files—even if a formal inventory isn't complete.

What you can do right now

You don't have to wait for your utility's inventory. A licensed plumber can inspect your service line by checking the exposed pipe where it enters your home (usually in the basement). Lead is soft and gray, and a magnet won't stick to it.

If your line is lead or unknown, you can reduce exposure by running cold water before drinking or cooking, and by using a certified lead filter on your kitchen tap. For health concerns, contact your pediatrician or the CDC.

Next steps for residents

• Call your water utility and ask about the lead service line at your address
• Check your water bill or the utility's website for inventory data or inspection results
• Have a plumber inspect your service line if you own your home
• If you have young children or are pregnant, discuss water safety with your doctor

```json [ { "q": "How do I know if my Pittsburgh home has a lead service line?", "a": "Contact your water utility directly and ask if your address has been inspected. You can also hire a licensed plumber to check the exposed pipe where your service line enters your home—lead is soft, gray, and magnetic. Most Pittsburgh homes built before the 1980s are more likely to have lead lines." }, { "q": "Is Pittsburgh water safe to drink?", "a": "Pittsburgh's water treatment meets EPA safety standards. However, if your service line is lead, the metal can leach into your water as it travels from the main to your home. The risk is highest for babies, young children, and pregnant people." }, { "q": "What should I do if my service line is lead?", "a": "Use cold water for drinking and cooking, flush your tap by running water for 30 seconds before use, and consider installing a certified lead filter. Over time, replacing your service line with copper or plastic is the only permanent fix. Contact your utility about replacement programs or costs." }, { "q": "Does Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority have a public lead service line inventory?", "a": "As of the last update, no confirmed lead service line counts were publicly available. Contact Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority directly at the