The latest on Pittsburgh's lead problem: PWSA modifies lead line replacements

Even though the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority’s partial lead line replacement strategy has resulted in even higher levels of lead in some residents’ water, the authority has opted to continue its program—but it will no longer do “partial” replacements.
The partial replacement strategy was implemented because the PWSA is barred from doing work on private property. So, the authority’s plan was to replace their lead supply lines up to the “curb box” where the public line joins a building’s supply line. The PWSA halted the partial replacements after tests revealed elevated lead levels.
Now, it is only replacing public lead lines that are connected to non-lead lines.
“The short answer is that we’re proceeding with lead line replacements,” PWSA Spokesman Will Pickering told the New Pittsburgh Courier. “But only if our work doesn’t result in a partial lead line replacement—that means that there is lead on the public side of the line, but a non-lead material on the private side.”
In a press announcement released June 12, the authority also unveiled a new interactive website that shows the progress of its curb box inspection program—which is working to reveal which of 71,000 residential service lines in the system are made of lead. The PWSA estimates about 25 percent, or 17,750, are lead lines.
Pickering said there are more than 2,000 data points in the map so far, and the inspections will continue until all 71,000 connections are catalogued. He said they originally planned to complete that by 2021, but are working to expedite the program.
“PWSA is fully committed to sharing the results with the public from our innovative curb box inspection program,” said Interim Executive Director Robert A. Weimar in the release. “Identifying the location of lead service lines is a critical step toward removing harmful lead from our water system.”

Mayor Bill Peduto has also presented legislation to council, and a vote was scheduled for June 13 that would allow the PWSA to replace lead lines on private property for free when it does the public lines. Homeowners would have to volunteer for the program and, according to the bill, indemnify the city against any damages occurring during replacement: “(a) Property Owner’s private lead water service line will be replaced from the new water main to the meter and will include restoration of concrete paving disturbed during the line replacement as well as grass seeding for disturbed grass areas (collectively the PLRP). The PLRP work will be performed at no cost to the Property Owner.”
If, however, the work requires going through finished walls, floors, steps or exterior structures like retaining walls, replacing those would be the homeowner’s responsibility.
Kevin Acklin, Peduto’s chief of staff, said the city is seeking a low-interest loan from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority to cover part of the estimated $410 million the replacements will cost.
Last week former mayoral candidate Rev. John C. Welch, a onetime environmental engineer, applauded the authority halting the partial replacement program. Its renewal, though modified, is still less than he recommends. He estimates putting point-of-entry filters in all buildings served by the PWSA would cost $100 million and would allow the authority to safely replace all its lines—including the mains—at a slower, less costly pace, while maintaining safety.
(The authority’s interactive map is viewable at https://www.pgh2o.com/CBI.)
 
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