Pittsburgh, PA - Pittsburgh Water is investing nearly $54 million to rehabilitate aging sewer lines across the service area, helping prevent emergency repairs and extend the life of infrastructure that is often more than a century old.

The work will begin in Hazelwood before expanding to other neighborhoods through 2028. Residents in affected areas will receive advance notice before construction begins.

Rather than waiting for pipes to fail, Pittsburgh Water is proactively rehabilitating sewer lines before they become larger problems. These improvements help reduce the risk of sewer backups, sinkholes and emergency repairs while improving the long-term reliability of the wastewater system.

“Our goal is to address problems before our customers experience them,” said Will Pickering, CEO of Pittsburgh Water. “By investing in our aging sewer system today, we’re extending the life of critical infrastructure, reducing the need for emergency repairs and helping ensure reliable wastewater service for years to come.”

Where possible, crews will use trenchless technology to rehabilitate pipes from the inside, reducing the amount of excavation required. Compared with traditional construction, these methods can shorten construction timelines and lessen impacts to traffic, neighborhoods, and nearby properties.

Over the next several years, Pittsburgh Water expects to assess and rehabilitate as needed approximately 42 miles of neighborhood sewer lines, while also rehabilitating key sections of larger sewer mains that serve the broader wastewater system.

Residents whose neighborhoods are scheduled for construction will receive advance notification and project information before work begins. 

The projects are supported through nearly $54 million in low-interest financing from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST), allowing Pittsburgh Water to continue making critical infrastructure investments while managing costs for customers.