September 3, 2026

PITTSBURGH, PA – Pittsburgh Water has replaced its 16,000th public lead service line, marking another major milestone in the utility’s nearly decade-long effort to remove lead from Pittsburgh’s drinking water system and protect public health.

Since launching its Community Lead Response in 2016, Pittsburgh Water has replaced more than 16,000 public lead service lines and more than 12,250 private lead service lines. The utility remains on track to replace all remaining residential lead service lines by the end of 2027.

“Reaching 16,000 public lead service line replacements represents years of sustained work and an extraordinary commitment from our employees, contractors and community partners,” said Will Pickering, CEO of Pittsburgh Water. “We’ve kept our focus on finishing this work, and we will continue moving aggressively until every residential lead service line in our system has been removed.”

The milestone comes as communities across the country accelerate efforts to identify and remove lead service lines. Pittsburgh Water has been doing this work since 2016, giving the utility nearly a decade of experience replacing both the public and privately owned portions of lead service lines, coordinating directly with residents and removing cost barriers for eligible property owners.

“Replacing lead service lines is the kind of work that directly improves quality of life in our neighborhoods,” said Mayor Corey O’Connor. “It means safer drinking water, stronger infrastructure, and one less thing families have to worry about. Reaching 16,000 public lead service line replacements is a meaningful step toward a healthier future for Pittsburgh.”

The scale of the effort extends well beyond the number of lead lines replaced. In addition to removing a potential source of lead exposure, the program replaces aging service lines with modern infrastructure that will serve Pittsburgh residents for decades to come.

Since 2016, Pittsburgh Water crews and contractors have worked at 39,427 homes throughout the service area to inspect, verify or replace service lines. The program has also resulted in the replacement of more than 35,000 sidewalk sections, providing an additional neighborhood and property improvement as part of the work.

“This milestone is ultimately about our customers and their health,” said Rachael Beam, Chief Engineering Officer at Pittsburgh Water. “Replacing a lead service line can involve significant work at someone’s home, so we put a great deal of effort into communicating clearly, answering questions and making the experience as seamless as possible. We want customers to know there are people here who genuinely want to help them through every step of the process.”

While lead service line replacement continues, Pittsburgh Water is also protecting customers through its highly effective water treatment process. In 2025, the utility recorded a lead level of just 2.0 parts per billion (ppb), the lowest in its history and well below the federal action level of 15 ppb.

Pittsburgh Water will continue verifying and replacing remaining residential lead service lines throughout its service area as it works toward completing the program by the end of 2027.

Residents can learn more about Pittsburgh Water’s lead service line replacement program, check their service line material and find information about upcoming work at www.pgh2o.com/lead.