Pennsylvania · population 307,668
Lead pipes in Pittsburgh, PA
18,415 lead or galvanized lines to replace
Most of Pittsburgh (population 307,668) gets its water from Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Auth. That system reported 16,165 lead and 2,250 galvanized-requiring-replacement service lines out of 80,528, with 2,361 more of unknown material.
23% of Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Auth's service lines are lead or galvanized requiring replacement, higher than the Pennsylvania average (2.9%) and higher than the national average (3.1%).
- Lead 20%
- Galvanized (replace) 2.8%
- Unknown 2.9%
- Non-lead 74%
Latest lead test for Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Auth (Jun 2025–Sep 2025): 2 ppb at the 90th percentile, against a 15 ppb federal action level. Full test history.
Compliance record: EPA lists 2 Lead and Copper Rule violations since 2015, 2 health-based for Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Auth.
Water systems serving Pittsburgh
| Water system | Lead | Galv. | Unknown | % lead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh Water & Sewer AuthMain system | 16,165 | 2,250 | 2,361 | 23% |
| Va Healthcare System HeinzServes nearby areas | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0% |
Matched from EPA water system service area boundaries and the cities each system reports serving. Edges of the city may be served by a neighboring system; your water bill names your utility.
Replacement program
Free for income-qualified owners
Pittsburgh Water replaces the public side for free and offers free private-side replacement to income-qualified customers, or income-based reimbursement of up to 100% if you hire your own plumber. It aims to finish all lead line replacement by 2027.
- Contact the Lead Help Desk to check income eligibility.
- Or apply for reimbursement before hiring a plumber.
Checked November 2026. Sources: lead.pgh2o.com, lead.pgh2o.com. Programs and funding change, so confirm with the utility. Programs in other cities.
Check your address in Pittsburgh
The counts above cover the whole water system. To see whether your line is lead, look up your address on Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Auth's official inventory. Utilities had to make these public by October 16, 2024.
No map yet? Do the 2-minute scratch and magnet test.
Protect your drinking water
If your line is lead, galvanized or unknown, use a filter certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead for drinking, cooking and baby formula, and use only cold water.
Choosing a lead-certified filter · Testing your water · Replacement cost
Nearby cities
- Mount Oliver6,070 lead + galv. lines
- Millvale18,415 lead + galv. lines
- Etna236 lead + galv. lines
- Homestead6,070 lead + galv. lines
- Baldwin6,070 lead + galv. lines
- Green Tree6,070 lead + galv. lines
- Dormont6,070 lead + galv. lines
- Brentwood6,070 lead + galv. lines
Check another water system
Questions
Does Pittsburgh, PA have lead pipes?
Yes. Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Auth, which serves Pittsburgh, reported 16,165 lead and 2,250 galvanized-requiring-replacement service lines, plus 2,361 of unknown material.
Who supplies water to Pittsburgh?
EPA's service area maps place most of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Auth's service area (PWSID PA5020038). Va Healthcare System Heinz also serves parts of the city or nearby areas.
How do I check whether my Pittsburgh home has a lead service line?
Search your address on Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Auth's service line inventory map. You can also scratch the pipe where water enters your home: lead is soft, dull gray, scratches to shiny silver and doesn't attract a magnet.
When will lead pipes in Pittsburgh be replaced?
EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements require most systems to replace lead and galvanized-requiring-replacement lines by December 31, 2037. Ask Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Auth whether your street is scheduled and whether it covers the private side.