Pittsburgh, PA – The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) was recently awarded a $500,000 grant from the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) to help fund our Urgent Lead Service Line Replacement Program.

The projects in this Program help protect water quality and public health by coordinating the replacement of any private lead service lines identified during unplanned or emergency work on a public service line. This coordinated, simultaneous replacement of both public and private service lines prevents “partial” lead line replacements, known to have a negative impact on water quality, and can reduce the financial burden to customers who experience a private service line leak.

“This Program is one of several lead remediation programs underway as we make progress on our goal of replacing all lead service lines by 2026,” said PWSA CEO Will Pickering. “Partnerships with financing bodies like CFA help PWSA protect public health, all while minimizing the impact to ratepayers.”

Grants like this have an additional benefit, helping bolster the economic vitality of our region. This grant will translate to a nearly $900,000 economic impact, which helps fuel our local economy, create jobs, and keep money in our communities.

This one-time $500,000 grant from the CFA’s COVID-19 PA Small Water & Sewer Program, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), is the maximum amount that a project can receive through the program. This funding round was especially competitive, with nearly three times the financing requested across the state than was available.

As a public water utility, PWSA is eligible for these kinds of funding opportunities, which are invested directly back into our water system without profit motive. Over time, funding from state and federal partners helps to reduce the cost to ratepayers during a period of unprecedented investment in our essential water systems. To learn more about the Authority’s finances, please visit http://www.pgh2o.com/about-us/finance.