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Pittsburgh, PA - Pittsburgh Water has completed improvements at the Lanpher Reservoir, modernizing one of the utility’s most critical drinking water assets. The upgrades bring new tools, technology, and resiliency to the system – helping to provide reliable operations and consistently high-quality water to several Pittsburgh neighborhoods.

The work included construction of a new water quality facility, installation of new flow meters and monitoring equipment, and upgrades within the reservoir’s two storage cells. The improvements provide more accurate, real-time monitoring of water moving through the reservoir, helping Pittsburgh Water operate the system more efficiently while supporting reliable service for customers.

“These improvements strengthen one of the most important facilities in our drinking water system and represent another investment in providing safe, reliable service for the communities we serve,” said Pittsburgh Water CEO Will Pickering. “Modern infrastructure helps ensure we can continue delivering high-quality drinking water today and well into the future.”

Lanpher Reservoir is a 133-million-gallon covered reservoir that supplies drinking water to Pittsburgh Water’s service area north of the Allegheny River. It also supports other facilities throughout the distribution system, including McNaugher Reservoir, Spring Hill Tank, and the Brashear Tanks.

The reservoir is divided into two storage cells, allowing one to remain in service while maintenance and improvements are completed in the other. Work began in November 2024 when the East Cell was drained. After improvements were completed, the cell was refilled and returned to service in August 2025. Crews then completed similar work in the West Cell, which returned to service in June 2026.

Alongside the reservoir improvement, Pittsburgh Water constructed a new facility near the Bauerstown Baseball and Softball Fields to replace aging equipment within the reservoir gatehouse. The new facility incorporates modern monitoring and automated technology that allows employees to respond more efficiently as water use and system conditions change throughout the day.

The building was designed to complement the surrounding community, with the architectural features inspired by the existing ballfield pavilion and concession stand.

With both reservoir cells back in service and the new facility fully operational, the improvements will support safe, reliable drinking water and more efficient operations for years to come.

Pittsburgh, PA - Pittsburgh Water is investing nearly $54 million to rehabilitate aging sewer lines across the service area, helping prevent emergency repairs and extend the life of infrastructure that is often more than a century old.

The work will begin in Hazelwood before expanding to other neighborhoods through 2028. Residents in affected areas will receive advance notice before construction begins.

Rather than waiting for pipes to fail, Pittsburgh Water is proactively rehabilitating sewer lines before they become larger problems. These improvements help reduce the risk of sewer backups, sinkholes and emergency repairs while improving the long-term reliability of the wastewater system.

“Our goal is to address problems before our customers experience them,” said Will Pickering, CEO of Pittsburgh Water. “By investing in our aging sewer system today, we’re extending the life of critical infrastructure, reducing the need for emergency repairs and helping ensure reliable wastewater service for years to come.”

Where possible, crews will use trenchless technology to rehabilitate pipes from the inside, reducing the amount of excavation required. Compared with traditional construction, these methods can shorten construction timelines and lessen impacts to traffic, neighborhoods, and nearby properties.

Over the next several years, Pittsburgh Water expects to assess and rehabilitate as needed approximately 42 miles of neighborhood sewer lines, while also rehabilitating key sections of larger sewer mains that serve the broader wastewater system.

Residents whose neighborhoods are scheduled for construction will receive advance notification and project information before work begins.

The projects are supported through nearly $54 million in low-interest financing from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST), allowing Pittsburgh Water to continue making critical infrastructure investments while managing costs for customers.

Pittsburgh, PA - Pittsburgh Water is preparing to begin the next Lead Service Line Replacement projects in additional Pittsburgh neighborhoods, as the utility continues making significant progress toward its goal of replacing all lead service lines by the end of 2027. Construction is expected to begin in mid-August.

Customers whose properties are included in this work have recently received agreement packets by mail outlining the replacement process and the next steps. Pittsburgh Water encourages customers who received a packet to review the materials and return any required forms as soon as possible to help keep projects on schedule.

As construction approaches, Pittsburgh Water is reminding customers what they can expect throughout the process:

• Not every home on a street will require replacement. Service line materials vary from property to property, so neighbors may receive different notifications based on available records and each property’s service line material.
• Customers whose properties are included will receive additional coordination. Before work begins, customers will be contacted with more specific information about scheduling and access to their property.
• Construction schedules may change. While work is planned by neighborhood, the order of construction may shift based on field conditions and project needs.

“Replacing lead service lines is one of the most important investments we can make for our customers and our communities,” said Pittsburgh Water CEO Will Pickering. “As work moves into additional neighborhoods, we’re committed to keeping customers informed every step of the way, from the information they receive in the mail to the work taking place at their property. We encourage anyone with questions to take advantage of the resources available and connect with our team before construction begins.”

Since 2016, Pittsburgh Water has replaced more than 27,000 public and private lead service lines across its drinking water area. Neighborhood-by-neighborhood, block-by-block, the utility remains on track to remove all residential lead service lines by late 2027.

To help customers understand the work ahead, Pittsburgh Water is hosting virtual community meetings where residents can learn more about the replacement process, ask questions, and hear directly from project staff. The meetings will begin on August 11.