Pittsburgh Water is moving into four more neighborhoods as it works to replace all the lead pipes in its service area.
The water authority started replacing lead pipes a decade ago and said it’s on track to finish the project by the end of 2027.
Construction is now moving into areas of Highland Park, Shadyside, Bloomfield, and Lawrenceville. People whose lines are affected should have gotten information in the mail.
Pittsburgh Water is hosting two online meetings to explain the work on Aug. 11 and 12, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. each day.
This phase of the project is supported with $31.5 million in funding from the state’s financing authority, PENNVEST. Half of the money comes from grants and half from low-interest loans. Mayor Corey O’Connor’s office announced the money in February, saying it would allow Pittsburgh Water to replace 770 public and 840 private lead service lines.
The replacement effort got a boost from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, signed by President Joe Biden. The law gave $15 billion to replace lead plumbing nationwide.
Lead exposure causes a number of health issues, especially in children, including possible damage to the brain and nervous system.
Pittsburgh Water said it has replaced more than 27,000 public and private lead service lines since 2016, when lead levels in drinking water were above the state and federal limit of 15 parts per billion.
In its most recent annual report, the utility reported record low lead levels of 2 parts per billion.