Improving water quality in Pittsburgh

Protecting local water ways, the source of our drinking water, is a top priority at the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA). The Dec. 18 letter, “There’s Injustice in Our Waters,” made assertions about local water quality we strongly disagree with.

We do not know what EPA study the author was referring to, but we do know that PWSA is taking every measure to protect the quality and safety of your drinking water. At all stages of the production process, water is tested and monitored to ensure we are meeting or exceeding all regulations.

PWSA is committed to water stewardship, equity, and protecting the environment. We want to share some of the things we are doing to be a better community partner.

Our Community Lead Response has drastically reduced lead levels in Pittsburgh’s drinking water. The latest round of compliance testing completed this summer showed a steep decline of lead levels, well below the state and federal limits.

When replacing lead service lines throughout Pittsburgh, PWSA prioritized lower income neighborhoods and replaced private lead lines free of charge to protect the health and safety of Pittsburgh residents. We also instituted Customer Assistance Programs so customers do not have to choose between paying for water services and other essential expenses.

We are constructing new stormwater infrastructure throughout the city to reduce combined sewer overflows and improve water quality. Several of our projects utilize green infrastructure, which provides additional social and environmental benefits. And we are implementing a capital improvement program to replace water mains, rehabilitate aging sewer lines, and reconstruct critical water infrastructure.

These improvements will serve our customers and the Pittsburgh region for generations to come.

We’re disappointed none of those positive projects and updates were included in the recent letter to the editor. For more information about these and other initiatives at PWSA, please visit www.pgh2o.com.

WILLIAM J. PICKERING

Chief Executive Officer Pittsburgh Water and Sewer

Authority Strip District