Edward Barca, CPA, Director of Finance
Pittsburgh Water
Pittsburgh Water
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Pittsburgh, PA – Pittsburgh Water is set to begin a new round of vital water main and lead service line replacements in neighborhoods across its service area during the 2025 construction season. These upgrades, totaling $75.4 million, will enhance water reliability and safety, contribute to the ongoing effort to modernize Pittsburgh’s water infrastructure, and generate economic activity in our region.
Ongoing water main replacement work is an essential part of Pittsburgh Water’s commitment to providing safe and reliable water services by replacing aging infrastructure. These renewal projects will help to reduce the number of water main breaks that can lead to service interruptions, and low water pressure. Additionally, as part of Pittsburgh Water’s commitment to protecting public health, any lead encountered during the water main replacement process, on the public or private side of the service line, will be replaced at no direct cost to the customer.
The investment in Pittsburgh Water’s infrastructure brings meaningful economic benefits to Pittsburgh’s local and regional economy. It is estimated that the engineering and construction activity associated with the replacement of water mains and removal of lead service lines will generate over $112 million in economic output and create over 500 jobs that are directly related to the project, generated through business-to-business purchases, and stimulated by supply chain spending. Pittsburgh Water’s robust infrastructure investment is a consistent economic driver in our region.
“With continued investment and support from state and local partners, Pittsburgh Water is working to provide a safer, more reliable water system for our residents,” said CEO Will Pickering. “The hundreds of jobs associated with these essential upgrades will reinvest ratepayer dollars and PENNVEST funding locally, while reinforcing our system’s reliability for future generations.”
The majority of these necessary system upgrades are made possible with a $69.3 million PENNVEST funding package, consisting of $4.9 million in grants and $64.4 million in low-interest loans allowing Pittsburgh Water to invest in critical infrastructure projects while minimizing financial impacts on customers. Pittsburgh Water will invest $6.1 million of its own capital into this project. As a publicly owned water utility, all funding received is reinvested directly into the system for the benefit of those who live and work in Pittsburgh.
Construction will take place in the following neighborhoods beginning in early summer 2025, with work continuing through mid-2026. In total, the project will install over 10 miles of new water mains, and over 1,000 service lines that will be inspected for lead.
