Pittsburgh Water Puts Nearly $78 Million in PENNVEST Funding to Work on System Upgrades and Lead Line Replacements

April 16, 2026

Pittsburgh, PA - Pittsburgh Water today announced nearly $78 million in new funding from PENNVEST to accelerate upgrades to the city's drinking water and sewer systems, replacing aging infrastructure, reducing the risk of service disruptions, and continuing the removal of lead service lines across 12 Pittsburgh neighborhoods.

"We're focused on making the right investments in our system while keeping costs as low as possible for customers," said Pittsburgh Water CEO Will Pickering said. "Every dollar we secure through PENNVEST is a dollar that helps us strengthen our system without placing the full burden on ratepayers."

This latest round of funding builds on a long-standing partnership with PENNVEST. Since 2018, Pittsburgh Water has received more than $1.02 billion in PENNVEST support, including $133.5 million in grants and $887.7 million in low-interest loans, helping to deliver critical improvements while keeping costs as low as possible for customers.

These awards are made possible through extensive financial planning, coordination, and competitive applications that position Pittsburgh Water to bring outside funding back to benefit ratepayers.

Replacing Aging Water Mains and Lead Service Lines

Pittsburgh Water received funding to support water main upgrades and lead service line replacements, including:

• $21.8 million loan for water main improvements
• $1.64 million grant and $634,616 loan dedicated to lead service line replacements

This work will:

• Replace 3 miles of water mains
• Remove over 700 lead service lines (both public and private side)
• Improve reliability and water quality in Spring Hill, Allegheny East, and Crawford-Roberts

"Investments like these are critical to keeping Pittsburgh moving forward," said Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O'Connor. "By upgrading infrastructure and removing lead service lines, we're improving quality of life for families and residents today while building a stronger, more reliable system for the future."

By coordinating water main upgrades with lead line replacement, Pittsburgh Water reduces disruption and delivers long-term improvements more efficiently.

Rehabilitating 42 Miles of Sewer Infrastructure

PENNVEST also awarded a $53.9 million loan to support the rehabilitation of 42 miles of sewer mains across nine neighborhoods: Hazelwood, Bon Air, Stanton Heights, Overbrook, Chateau, Larimer, Swisshelm Park, Carrick, and Allegheny West.

Using advanced inspection and trenchless lining technology, crews can reinforce pipes from within, preventing failures before they occur while avoiding disruptive excavation during construction. This approach extends the life of critical infrastructure for decades at a significantly lower cost than full replacement. This funding will support sewer rehabilitation projects through 2028.

Proactive Investment in System Reliability

These projects reflect Pittsburgh Water's continued focus on proactive investment, prioritizing neighborhoods most in need and addressing infrastructure challenges before they impact customers.

With continued support from PENNVEST, Pittsburgh Water is advancing a more reliable, resilient system while making strategic, cost-effective investments in the infrastructure that serves Pittsburgh every day.