State lawmaker calls on PWSA to replace lead lines

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority on Thursday will replace public water lines made of lead on Kingsboro Street in Mount Washington.

PWSA will not touch the lines going into customer homes, many of which are also lead.

"It's not fair," Arshad Bryant said. "We're paying for nothing. We still have to dig up our property for something they specialize in."

The PWSA told 11 Investigates that state law prevents it from replacing private water lines, even if they contain lead.

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Many disagree with that stance, including State Sen. Wayne Fontana, D-Brookline.

"It's not clear to them," Fontana said. "But to me, if it doesn't say you can't do it, then you can do it."

Fontana introduced legislation to clarify state law, with the goal of allowing the PWSA to replace the entire line.

The utility said it supports the change, but is doing only partial line replacements until the new law passes.

"It makes sense to do it all at one time. That's what I'm trying to clear," Fontana said. "I'm trying to make sure everyone is on the same page so the PWSA can come up with a plan to help their residents."

Bryant's son, who lives on Kingsboro Street, has already dealt with lead exposure, and he worries that a partial line replacement could affect his family.

"No parent wants to see or even hear about the effects of a chemical that you drink or live around every day," Bryant said.

It’s expected to cost the PWSA about $360 million to replace all the lead lines in the city.

Penn American Water, which serves part of the city, released a plan last week to replace all of its lead service lines.

Cox Media Group