Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in Pittsburgh?
Yes, tap water in Pittsburgh is currently safe to drink, but the city had a well-documented lead contamination crisis from 2016 to the early 2020s. A major lead service line replacement program has since addressed most of the affected lines.
Water Source
The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) draws from the Allegheny River, treating it before distribution across the city.
EPA Compliance Status
Currently meets federal Safe Drinking Water Act standards; operated under a state-mandated corrective action order following elevated lead findings first identified in 2016.
Notable Contaminants & Context
- •Elevated lead levels were detected in 2016 after a change in corrosion-control treatment; PWSA has since restored proper corrosion control and completed extensive lead service line replacement
- •Ongoing lead testing and replacement continue for remaining legacy lines in older neighborhoods
How It Compares
Pittsburgh's case is one of the most closely studied U.S. municipal lead crises after Flint, and PWSA's subsequent free lead-line replacement program (covering both public and private-side lines) is often cited as a model corrective response.
Tips
- •Residents can request a free lead service line inspection and, if needed, replacement through PWSA
- •Check whether your specific address has had its line replaced via PWSA's public map
- •A certified lead-reduction filter is a reasonable extra precaution if your line hasn't yet been replaced
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources & References
The safety rating and guidance on this page draw on the following sources. See our full methodology.
- •US EPA Safe Drinking Water Act regulations
- •EWG Tap Water Database
- •The utility's most recent Consumer Confidence Report (CCR)
- •WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality