The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority has charted a proactive response to the risk of lead in the water it supplies, including a new emphasis on identifying and cataloging properties where lead pipes could cause potential exposure and approval of a new policy for lead service line replacement.
Interim executive director David Donahoe also reported at Friday’s PWSA board meeting that the authority is conducting experiments to determine the most effective chemical additive for preventing the leaching of lead in service lines. He said the results will be reported to the state Department of Environmental Protection.
The policy the board approved requires PWSA to work with customers to identify the most economical way to replace lead service lines — the lines running from water mains into customers’ homes — particularly in areas where water main replacement is occurring.
“Taking action at that time is the most affordable way for the customer to upgrade their service lines,” Mr. Donahoe said, “since sidewalks and curbs are often already dug up and would be restored at authority expense.”
To help with the development and implementation of lead-focused policies, Mr. Donahoe said he will form a Water Quality Advisory Committee with representation from academic, consulting and health organizations and the DEP. He said he hopes to have a list of nominees for approval at next month’s board meeting.
The PWSA’s focus on lead comes after severe lead contamination of the water in Flint, Mich., and a DEP order critical of the authority’s unapproved change in 2014 of lead corrosion inhibitors, and just ahead of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-mandated lead-level tests scheduled for June.
The last federal lead tests in 2013 showed evels at 14.7 parts per billion. EPA regulations require public water suppliers to take corrective action if lead concentrations exceed 15 parts per billion in more than 10 percent of tap water samples.
The DEP order requires the authority to complete two rounds of lead and copper tap water monitoring this year at 100 residences with lead water supply lines.
“By taking these steps now, we will be ahead of the curve, no matter what the test findings are,” Mr. Donahoe said.
He also recommended that oversight of water plant production and water quality testing and customer service, currently the responsibility of one manager, be separated, a change that he characterized as providing needed checks and balances.
“Providers are now being asked to work with customers at their locations and perform testing at various sites in the system. The educational and testing functions will only grow and will require the full-time attention of a senior manager,” Mr. Donahoe said.
“The authority will be making significant improvements to the water plant in the coming years, requiring the full attention of a plant manager. The entire water delivery system is dependent on the plant and integrating it into that department makes sense.”
The attention on lead is understandable and important, said PWSA board chairman Alex Thomson.
“The most important function of PWSA is the delivery of clean, quality water to our customers and the more than 100,000 people who come into the city and use our water every day,” Mr. Thompson said. “So I support the changes that have been proposed. Lead has become a significant issue since Flint, and lead exposure from service lines and paint is a concern.”
Don Hopey: dhopey@post-gazette.com, 412-263-1983, or on Twitter @donhopey
First Published: May 20, 2016, 4:14 p.m.
Updated: May 21, 2016, 4:04 a.m.
