Our drinking water system contains approximately 965 miles of water lines, five reservoirs, and 11 tanks with a water storage capacity of 455 million gallons
Pittsburgh’s drinking water system is a hidden engineering giant, with pipes in the ground that date back decades, many to the early 1900s. That means every water construction project has a bit of archaeology built in, as crews navigate old materials, tight city streets, and infrastructure that’s far older than most neighborhoods realize.
From replacing aging water mains to upgrading hydrants, valves and other critical components, each project helps strengthen a system that’s been working hard for generations. Keeping water flowing in an old city is no small task, but these upgrades ensure clean, reliable service for today’s Pittsburgh and the future taking shape around us.
Drinking Water Construction Project Types
Small Diameter Water Main Replacement Program
Pittsburgh Water’s Small Diameter Water Main Replacement Program replaces older, undersized water mains—typically pipes that are 8 inches in diameter or less—with new, modernized pipes. Each year, 6-12 miles of aging water mains are replaced throughout our water service area.
Why Replace Them?
Many of these small mains were installed decades ago and are prone to leaks, breaks, and reduced water pressure. They often serve residential neighborhoods and smaller streets.
Replacements mean improved reliability, fewer water main breaks and emergency repairs, better water quality as new pipes reduce corrosion and sediment buildup, fire protection as larger, modern mains improve water flow for fire hydrants.
Additionally, Pittsburgh Water coordinates this program with its Neighborhood Lead Service Line Replacement Program. This integrated approach replaces residential lead service lines, shortens construction timelines, and reduces project costs through a single, streamlined effort.
How It’s Done:
Crews excavate the old pipe, install a new ductile iron or similar material pipe, and reconnect service lines. This work often involves temporary water shutoffs and street restoration.
Hydrant, Valve and Relay Replacements
Pittsburgh Water maintains thousands of hydrants, valves, and water relay lines across the city to ensure reliable water service and fire protection. These components are critical for controlling water flow and pressure in the distribution system. Here’s how the replacement process works:
Hydrant Replacement
Hydrants are essential for firefighting and flushing water mains. Over time, they can corrode or fail. To replace hydrants, crews excavate around the hydrant, disconnect it from the water main, and install a new hydrant that meets modern standards. The area is then backfilled and restored.
Valve Replacement
Valves control water flow and allow sections of the system to be isolated for maintenance. Old valves can leak or fail to close properly.
To fix these issues, crews locate the valve, shut down the section of pipe, remove the old valve, and install a new one. This often requires temporary water shutoffs for nearby customers.
Water Relay Replacement
A water relay is a smaller pipe that connects the main water line to hydrants or other system components.
If the relay is damaged or too small for current standards, crews dig up the old pipe and replace it with a new ductile iron or similar material pipe to ensure proper flow and pressure.
Restoration
After replacements, crews backfill the excavation, restore pavement or sidewalks, and test the new hydrant or valve to ensure it works properly.
These upgrades improve system reliability, reduce leaks, and ensure hydrants are ready for emergency use. They’re part of Pittsburgh Water’s ongoing investment in modernizing infrastructure for safety and efficiency.
Urgent Repairs
An Urgent Water Repair Contract is a specialized agreement Pittsburgh Water maintains with contractors to address emergency water issues that require immediate attention. These repairs are outside of routine maintenance and cannot wait for standard scheduling because they pose risks to public health, safety, or property.