History of Pittsburgh water crisis in Timeline

The Pittsburgh water crisis stemmed from elevated lead levels in the city's water supply, exceeding EPA standards in 2016. Contributing factors include cost-cutting measures, unauthorized chemical changes implemented in 2014, and decades of lead pipe corrosion. The crisis posed significant health risks, especially to children and pregnant women. Since 2020, PWSA has been in compliance with EPA Lead and Copper Rule. Mitigation efforts have focused on replacing lead service lines, with over 13,000 lines replaced since 2016. The PWSA has also introduced orthophosphate to enhance corrosion control. The goal is to replace all remaining residential lead service lines by 2027.

2012: Pittsburgh Hires Veolia

In 2012, Pittsburgh hired Veolia before the lead crises emerged as a serious issue.

2012: Veolia Hired as Water Consultancy

In 2012, the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) hired Veolia as a cost-cutting water consultancy, which later catalyzed the water crisis.

2014: Unauthorized Change of Anti-Corrosion Chemicals

In 2014, an unauthorized change of anti-corrosion chemicals occurred, contributing to the increase in lead concentration in Pittsburgh's water supply.

2014: Unauthorized Chemical Switch

In 2014, the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) broke state law by switching from soda ash to caustic soda as an anti-corrosion treatment without approval, sparking an increase in erosion levels.

2015: Flint Hires Veolia

In 2015, Flint hired Veolia to help manage the lead crises.

2016: PWSA Ordered to Replace Lead Service Lines

After a lead test revealed Pittsburgh's water supply was exceeding the federal limit in 2016, the PWSA was ordered to replace public lead service lines.

2016: Lawsuit Filed Against Veolia

In 2016, Michigan attorney general Bill Schuette filed a lawsuit against Veolia for professional negligence related to the Flint water crisis.

2016: Launch of Community Lead Response Program

In 2016, the PWSA launched the Community Lead Response program, focusing on the systematic replacement of lead services and the introduction of orthophosphate into the water treatment process.

2016: PWSA Exceeds EPA Lead Action Level

In 2016, the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) exceeded the U.S. EPA lead action level of 15 parts per billion (ppb).

2016: Lead Levels Exceed Federal Limit

In 2016, water testing revealed that more than 17% of homes sampled had lead concentrations exceeding the federal action level, prompting scrutiny.

2017: Pittsburgh's Lead Levels Higher Than Flint's

In 2017, Virginia Tech professor Marc Edwards pointed out that Pittsburgh's lead levels were higher than Flint's.

2017: Pennsylvania Auditor General Criticizes PWSA

In 2017, an audit conducted by the Pennsylvania Auditor general criticized PWSA for severe operational failings, including changing leadership and inconsistent testing practices.

2017: Discontinuation of Public Service Line Removal and Legislation Passed

Mid-2017, the practice of removing only public service lines was discontinued. A couple of months after the city ceased removing lead lines, legislation was passed that allowed the PWSA to remove both public and private lines.

2018: Introduction of Orthophosphate

In 2018, the Authority introduced orthophosphate to improve corrosion control in lead service lines.

April 2019: City Begins Adding Orthophosphate to Water Supply

In April 2019, the city began adding orthophosphate to the water supply as a means of reducing lead corrosion.

2020: Corrosion Control Improvements Made

Prior to the corrosion control improvements made in 2020, about a quarter of PWSA customers received their water supply through lead pipes.

2020: PWSA Compliance with EPA Lead and Copper Rule

Since 2020, the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority has been in compliance with the EPA Lead and Copper Rule, after implementing corrosion control improvements.

February 2024: Lead Concentration Below EPA Action Level

As of February 2024, the 90th percentile lead concentration in high-risk homes was measured at 3.58 ppb, substantially below the Environmental Protection Agency's action level of 15 ppb.