History of Pittsburgh water crisis in Timeline

The Pittsburgh water crisis stemmed from elevated lead levels in the city's water supply, exceeding the EPA's action level of 15 ppb in 2016. While a change in anti-corrosion chemicals in 2014 and water consultancy Veolia contributed, the underlying issue was decades of lead pipe corrosion. High lead exposure presents significant health risks, especially to children and pregnant women. Since 2020, the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) has complied with EPA regulations. They began using orthophosphate in 2018 to improve corrosion control and have replaced over 13,000 public lead service lines since 2016 with the aim of replacing all 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 City of Pittsburgh hired Veolia as a water consultancy, which catalyzed the water crisis due to subsequent cost-cutting measures.

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.

2014: Unauthorized Change of Anti-Corrosion Chemicals

In 2014, there was an unauthorized change of anti-corrosion chemicals, which increased the lead concentration in the water supply.

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: Community Lead Response Program Launched

In 2016, 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 to mitigate lead corrosion.

2016: PWSA Exceeds EPA Lead Action Level

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

2016: Lawsuit Filed Against Veolia

Michigan attorney general Bill Schuette filed a lawsuit against Veolia in 2016 for professional negligence.

2016: Lead Concentrations Exceed Federal Limit

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

2017: Pittsburgh 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 Removing Only Public Service Lines

In mid-2017, the practice of removing only public service lines was discontinued due to the risk of exacerbating lead contamination by disturbing private lines. A couple of months after the city ceased removing lead lines, legislation was passed that allowed the PWSA to use Pittsburgh's public safety powers 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 Began 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, putting a significant portion of the Pittsburgh population at risk for lead consumption.

2020: PWSA in 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.

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.