History of Pittsburgh water crisis in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: July 14, 2026

The Pittsburgh water crisis, which gained significant public attention around 2016, stemmed from the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority's (PWSA) failure to use proper anti-corrosive chemicals in the city's aging infrastructure. This negligence allowed lead from old service lines to leach into the drinking water supply, violating federal safety standards. The crisis was exacerbated by a lack of transparency, confusing communication regarding water safety, and the massive financial burden of replacing thousands of lead pipes. Public outcry forced the city to implement aggressive testing programs, replace lead service lines, and modernize infrastructure management. The event became a notable example of the national struggle with crumbling urban water systems and the health risks associated with lead exposure, leading to significant policy shifts and increased oversight of public water utility operations to ensure long-term public health and safety.

2012: Hiring of Veolia

In 2012, the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority hired the cost-cutting water consultancy firm Veolia, an action that served as a catalyst for the subsequent water crisis.

2012: Pittsburgh Hires Veolia

The city of Pittsburgh contracted the private water company Veolia in 2012, prior to the escalation of the city's lead water crisis, though claims were later made that lead problems intensified after they were hired.

2014: Unauthorized Chemical Change

In 2014, an unauthorized change in the anti-corrosion chemicals used by the water system occurred, which contributed to the spike in lead concentrations.

2014: Unauthorized Change in Water Treatment Chemicals

In 2014, the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) violated state regulations by switching from soda ash to caustic soda for anti-corrosion treatment without obtaining the mandatory permits from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, which ultimately compromised the protective lining of lead service pipes.

2015: Flint Hires Veolia

In 2015, the city of Flint hired the private water company Veolia to assist in the management of its ongoing lead water crisis, though the city later complained that lead issues worsened under their involvement.

2016: Detection of Elevated Lead Levels

During 2016, water quality testing revealed that over 17% of sampled homes in Pittsburgh contained lead concentrations surpassing the federal action limit of 15 ppb, a direct consequence of the 2014 treatment chemical switch.

2016: Lawsuit Filed Against Veolia

In 2016, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette filed a lawsuit against Veolia alleging professional negligence in relation to the company's handling of the water crisis in Flint.

2016: Detection of Lead Levels Exceeding Federal Limits

In 2016, Pittsburgh's water supply was found to exceed federal lead limits following testing, leading to a mandate for the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) to begin replacing public lead service lines.

2016: Launch of Community Lead Response Program

In 2016, the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) launched the Community Lead Response program to systematically replace lead service lines and begin adding orthophosphate to the city's water supply to prevent lead corrosion.

2016: EPA Lead Action Level Exceeded

In 2016, the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority officially exceeded the U.S. EPA lead action level of 15 parts per billion, and the authority began replacing public lead service lines.

2017: Audit of the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority

A 2017 audit performed by the Pennsylvania Auditor General exposed deep-seated operational deficiencies within the PWSA, specifically highlighting issues related to inconsistent water testing protocols and frequent leadership turnover.

2017: Comparison of Pittsburgh and Flint Lead Levels

In 2017, Virginia Tech professor Marc Edwards identified that lead levels in Pittsburgh's water supply exceeded those recorded in Flint, Michigan. Despite the severity of the crisis, local officials were accused of minimizing the situation, and Allegheny County Controller Chelsa Wagner publicly challenged the Pittsburgh health department for not being transparent about the scale of lead exposure in 2017.

2017: Discontinuation and Legislative Reform of Lead Line Removal

Mid-2017 marked the discontinuation of the practice of only replacing public lead service lines due to risks of increased contamination, followed by new legislation passed later in 2017 that authorized the PWSA to use public safety powers to replace both public and private lead lines.

2018: Introduction of Orthophosphate

In 2018, the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority implemented the use of orthophosphate to improve corrosion control within the city's lead service lines.

April 2019: Implementation of Orthophosphate Treatment in Pittsburgh

In April 2019, the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) officially began adding orthophosphate to the city's water supply. This chemical treatment was introduced as a protective measure to coat the interior of metal pipes, effectively preventing lead from leaching into the water, with two of the four primary distribution points located in the Highland Park neighborhood.

2020: Implementation of Corrosion Control Improvements

In 2020, the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) implemented significant corrosion control improvements to address the risk of lead contamination, which had previously affected approximately one-quarter of its customers due to aging lead pipes.

2020: Compliance with EPA Lead and Copper Rule

Starting in 2020, the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority successfully reached and maintained compliance with the EPA Lead and Copper Rule.

February 2024: Significant Decline in Lead Levels

As of February 2024, lead levels in Pittsburgh's water supply showed a marked improvement, with the 90th percentile concentration in high-risk homes recorded at 3.58 ppb, well under the 15 ppb limit set by the EPA.

April 2024: Lead Service Line Removal Milestone

By April 2024, the PWSA reached a significant infrastructure milestone by successfully replacing over 11,000 public lead service lines and more than 7,500 private lead service lines, with no direct costs passed on to consumers.

2026: Target for Lead Service Line Elimination

By 2026, the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) intends to complete its goal of removing all lead service lines from the city's infrastructure to ensure safer water quality.