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PITTSBURGH, Feb. 20, 2024 ~ Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority Recognized for Lead Pipe Removal Efforts During Vice President Harris and EPA Administrator Regan's Visit

Pittsburgh, PA- The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) received recognition for its swift and effective use of federal infrastructure funds to eliminate the risk of lead in drinking water during a visit from Vice President Kamala Harris and EPA Administrator Michael Regan on Tuesday. The visit highlighted the importance of reliable and safe drinking water, as well as the impact of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill on communities across the nation investing in water infrastructure.

The delegation visited a PWSA job site in a Pittsburgh neighborhood where contractors were removing lead service lines from the drinking water system. This provided an up-close look at the process of removing lead pipes. Vice President Harris also spoke at the Kingsley Association, where PWSA has replaced hundreds of lead service lines in nearby neighborhoods, fulfilling their mission to protect public health in the communities they serve.

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During her remarks at the Kingsley Association, Vice President Harris stated, "Access to clean water is an infrastructure and public health matter, which is why the Biden Administration has prioritized this issue to ensure people have access to what they need to be healthy regardless of how much money they have in their back pocket."

Since 2016, PWSA has been working diligently to remove the risk of lead in drinking water. To date, they have replaced over 10,800 public lead service lines and over 7,600 private ones. As there is no safe level of lead in drinking water, PWSA's aggressive approach to replacing lead pipes is crucial for protecting current and future generations' water quality. Their expertise in this area has led them to be recognized as an industry leader in lead pipe remediation, consulting with other water utilities and governments across the country on best practices for their programs.

"We thank Vice President Harris and EPA Administrator Regan for acknowledging the progress PWSA has made in improving public health in Pittsburgh," said PWSA CEO Will Pickering. "Federal funding has allowed us to accelerate the pace of replacements and reduce the burden on our ratepayers for this costly construction endeavor."

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Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, PWSA has received over $43 million in grants and over $23 million in low-interest loans for their lead pipe removal efforts. Combined with state funding received since 2017, they are well on their way to achieving their goal of replacing all lead pipes by 2026. Utilizing these funds while they are available is a top priority for PWSA, as it allows them to complete the work at no direct cost to customers, and low-interest loans result in significant savings compared to traditional municipal bonds.

For more information on PWSA's Community Lead Response, including lead remediation programs and resources like lead test kits and filters, visit lead.pgh2o.com. The visit from Vice President Harris and EPA Administrator Regan serves as a testament to PWSA's dedication to providing clean and safe drinking water for all communities they serve.

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