PWSA has taken many positive steps to address Pittsburgh's water quality over the last two years. We must continue to hold the Authority accountable to the public's health. Sign this petition to let PWSA administration and board know that we insist on completion of full lead service line replacements over the next ten years. The only way the public is truly safe from lead is when it is no longer present.

In 2016 the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority analyzed water samples from 100 pre-selected residential sites to determine the 90th percentile level of lead, in accordance with the Lead and Copper Rule. This calculation determines whether 10 percent of the samples exceed the action level of 15 ppb for lead. For that set of tests, that number was 22 ppb, which exceeded the 15 ppb action level for lead. Following federal regulations, PWSA continued to analyze water samples every six months. In June 2018, the 90th percentile level of lead was 10 ppb. PWSA has made significant progress over the last two years by:

• providing free lead test kits and educating community members;
• assessing the City of Pittsburgh streets and historical data to determine the location of lead service lines and publishing this data;
• obtaining approval to replace FULL lead service lines, rather than partial line replacements (which increase the amount of lead in drinking water); and
• modifying water treatment improvements to reduce corrosion in lead pipes throughout the entire water system.

There is no amount of lead exposure considered safe! Sign this petition to insist that PWSA complete its full lead service line replacement program over the next 10 years - by 2028! We know this is possible; cities such as Lansing, MI and Madison, WI (with more committed like Grand Rapids, MI!) have done the same. 

Lastly, demand that PWSA remain public and accountable. Public control of our assets, like water, is critical to a healthy community.