Water Quality: Pittsburgh, PA
13 water systems • 801,168 people served
Multiple Health ViolationsWater Quality Summary
Pittsburgh is served by 13 public water systems with a combined service population of 801,168 people, and has 612 EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. Critically, 89 of those are health-based violations, meaning one or more contaminants were detected above EPA-established safe levels — a serious public health concern. Pittsburgh's violation count is 125% above the national average for Pennsylvania. Contaminants associated with violations include Disinfection Byproducts, E. coli, Fecal Coliform.
Contaminants Found
Broad category of chemicals formed during disinfection, associated with increased cancer risk and adverse reproductive effects.
Common source: Reaction of disinfectants (chlorine, ozone, chloramines) with organic matter
Causes gastrointestinal illness; certain strains (e.g., O157:H7) can cause severe kidney failure and death.
Common source: Fecal contamination from humans or animals entering the water supply
EPA limit: Zero (no E. coli permitted in drinking water)
Indicates direct fecal contamination; associated with diarrhea, cramps, nausea, and potential severe illness.
Common source: Human and animal fecal waste
EPA limit: Zero tolerance (any positive triggers violations)
Water Systems Serving Pittsburgh
| System Name | PWSID | Source | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PITTSBURGH WATER & SEWER AUTH | PA5020038 | Surface Water | 520,000 | 82 |
| WEST VIEW WATER AUTHORITY | PA5020043 | Surface Water | 200,000 | 18 |
| PLUM BORO MUNI AUTH | PA5020041 | Surface Water | 27,500 | 17 |
| FOX CHAPEL AUTH | PA5020040 | Surface Water | 18,500 | 1 |
| ROBINSON TWP MUNI AUTH | PA5020045 | Surface Water | 16,354 | 21 |
| NEVILLE TWP WATER DEPT | PA5020029 | Surface Water | 6,750 | 12 |
| RESERVE TWP WATER DEPT | PA5020047 | Surface Water | 3,204 | 13 |
| ASPINWALL BORO WATER DEPT | PA5020003 | Surface Water | 3,151 | 38 |
| VA HEALTHCARE SYSTEM HEINZ | PA5020031 | Surface Water | 3,112 | 5 |
| BLAWNOX BORO WATER DEPT | PA5020004 | Surface Water | 2,200 | 174 |
| CARSON TOWERS | PA5020082 | Surface Water | 266 | 39 |
| FAIRFIELD MANOR MHP | PA5650098 | Groundwater | 92 | 132 |
| COUNTRYSIDE ESTATES MHP | PA6370005 | Groundwater | 39 | 60 |
Concerned About Your Water?
A home water filter can remove common contaminants. NSF-certified filters are tested against EPA standards.
Consider a reverse osmosis system for comprehensive filtration or a carbon filter for basic improvement.
Other Cities in Pennsylvania
Data Sources
Drinking water violation data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). Data includes all recorded violations for active community water systems.