Pennsylvania American Water Wednesday announced test results from its City of Pittsburgh lead sampling pilot affirm that the company’s drinking water continues to fully comply with regulatory standards.

The company launched the pilot on June 5, 2017, offering free lead testing to qualified customers in the City of Pittsburgh.

“The pilot’s results should provide our Pittsburgh customers with continued confidence and peace of mind about the water we provide them every day,” said Christopher Abruzzo, director of water quality and environmental compliance for Pennsylvania American Water. “These results mirror the findings of our 2016 Lead and Copper Rule sampling, when 100 percent of the Greater Pittsburgh samples tested were significantly below the EPA action level.”

Approximately 100 customers participated in the free pilot program, which the company offered during the summer to City residents in single-family homes built before 1988, with lead serves or copper plumbing with lead solder.

Pennsylvania American Water collected samples from the qualified customers, including pregnant women and households with children under six, who contacted the company.

American Water’s Central Laboratory in Belleville, Illinois, which is accredited by the Department of Environmental Protection and U.S. EPA, analyzed the samples and reported the results to participants.

Abruzzo said, “These results reinforce the effectiveness of the corrosion control treatment methods that we have employed for more than 30 years in our Greater Pittsburgh service area. It is also important to recognize the expertise of our plant personnel and water quality professionals, who are committed to ensuring that our water stays in full compliance with safe drinking water standards.”

Pennsylvania American Water is observing Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, Oct. 22 – 28, by reminding customers that the company is pursuing long-term solutions to reduce the potential for lead to leach into their household plumbing.

Pennsylvania American Water filed a request with Public Utility Commission this past May seeking permission to replace customer-owned lead service lines when removing company- owned lead service lines – and to bear the full cost of replacement.

Lead service lines largely remain in older neighborhoods where the prohibitive costs often prevent homeowners from replacing them. Pennsylvania American Water requested PUC approval to address this potential public health risk, and proposed a reasonable approach to recover the costs of the company’s investments.

“As a regulated utility, Pennsylvania American Water must seek the PUC’s permission prior to embarking on initiatives that might impact customers’ rates,” said Pennsylvania American Water President Jeffrey McIntyre. “Eliminating lead service pipes, together with our proven corrosion control water treatment practices, is a very effective strategy to maintain regulatory compliance well into the future.”

Customers can find more information about lead and drinking water on the company’s website.

For more information on its water systems in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania American Water website.

For more background on the lead issue, visit DEP’s Lead In Drinking Water webpage and the Department of Health’s Lead Poisoning webpage.

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[Posted: Oct. 25, 2017]

10/30/2017