Lead Service Lines: WILKINSBURG-PENN JT WATER AUTH

What you need to know

Wilkinsburg-Penn JT Water Authority serves about 125,000 people across Pennsylvania. Like many older water systems in the US, this utility may have lead service lines—the pipes that connect your home to the main water line buried under the street.

Lead service lines can leach lead into your drinking water, especially in homes with acidic water or when pipes are disturbed. Even small amounts of lead exposure can affect children's development. The good news: you have options to find out if your home is at risk and take action.

Lead service line inventory status

As of our last update, Wilkinsburg-Penn JT Water Authority has not yet completed or publicly released a full inventory of lead service lines in its system. This means the utility either hasn't finished surveying all service lines, hasn't made the data publicly available, or is still in early stages of the federal Lead and Copper Rule modernization process.

This does not mean your water is unsafe. It means you'll need to reach out to your utility directly to ask about your specific address.

What to do right now

Contact your water utility. Call Wilkinsburg-Penn JT Water Authority and ask:

• Does my home have a lead service line?
• What does the utility know about my street or neighborhood?
• Are replacement programs available?

If you don't know your utility's contact information, check your water bill—it's usually printed there.

Test your water. You can buy an inexpensive lead test kit online or request one from your utility. If you have young children or are pregnant, the CDC recommends testing your tap water.

Take interim steps while you wait for inventory data or testing results:

• Use cold water for drinking and cooking (hot water leaches more lead from pipes).
• Run your tap for 30 seconds each morning before using water.
• Consider a point-of-use filter certified to remove lead (look for NSF/ANSI Standard 53).

Next steps for residents

• Contact Wilkinsburg-Penn JT Water Authority to ask about your address and request a lead service line inventory.
• Request a free or low-cost water test from your utility or a local health department.
• If your home has a lead service line, ask about replacement grants or low-interest loans (some are available through federal funding).
• Consult your pediatrician if you have concerns about children's lead exposure; they can order blood tests if needed.

```json [ { "q": "How do I know if I have a lead service line?", "a": "Your water utility's service line inventory is the most reliable source. Contact Wilkinsburg-Penn JT Water Authority directly and provide your address. You can also hire a plumber to inspect the pipe where it enters your home, or use a magnet test (lead is not magnetic, but the surrounding pipe may help identify it)." }, { "q": "Is lead in drinking water dangerous?", "a": "Lead can harm children's brain development and affect adults' kidney and blood pressure. The CDC recommends testing if you have young children or are pregnant. Talk to your doctor about your risk and whether your family should be tested." }, { "q": "Can I remove lead from my tap water myself?", "a": "Point-of-use filters certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53 can reduce lead in drinking water. These are installed on individual taps or as pitcher filters. However, they only treat water at that one tap—the permanent fix is replacing the lead service line." }, { "q": "Does my water utility have to replace my lead service line?", "a": "Most utilities are required to replace lead service lines over time, but timelines vary. Some programs require the homeowner to pay for their side of the pipe. Ask Wilkinsburg-Penn JT Water Authority about their replacement program