Five Percent Of PWSA Customers Have Unacceptable Levels Of Lead

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Like many, David Bear has concerns about lead in the water and so he decided to have his tested for free with the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority.

"They had a bottle delivered to my door, couple days after that I sent it back," Bear explained.

PWSA has tested 400 samples so far, and 57 percent showed no trace of lead.

18 percent had 1 to 5 parts per billion and 13 percent had between 5 and 10 parts per billion -- meaning about 11 percent of the samples posed concerns.

6 percent had between 10 and 14.5 parts per billion, and 5 percent were at or above the federal allowable maximum of 15  parts per billion.

Both the mayor and acting PWSA director David Donahoe said that percentage is unacceptable.

"I think if you have one above that level, you really ought to say you as a water provider 'am I really doing my part here? Am I really doing what needs to be done?'"

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In May, KDKA conducted independent testing and found roughly the same result with most samples lead-free and some with high levels.

The city says the problem is lead service line which delivers the water from the main trunk lines to many of the older homes, replacing them can cost more than $1,000 and is the responsibility of the homeowner. But the mayor says he'll explore assistance programs to help.

"What you're seeing is an antiquated over 100 year old system that is starting to show its age. that the reality but the fact is we can work in and we can solve it," Donahoe said.

Bear good news back from the PWSA. The result was that there was no detectable level of lead.

But the mayor says PWSA must do better and help those with lead service line replaces them and ensure that everyone's water is lead free.

Click here for more information on testing your water.