As the New Pittsburgh Courier previously reported, under a consent decree reached with the DEP and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the authority agreed to replace seven percent of its lead service lines per year. In March, it contracted with two firms, Frank J. Zottola Construction of Butler and Independent Enterprises of Oakdale, to replace 1,500 lead service lines by the end of June for nearly $4 million.
The work began May 3, and since then, the firms completed work at 81 locations. Of those, 49 had publicly-owned lead service lines which required replacement. After the work, homeowners at eight of those locations submitted water samples for additional testing–four of them showed lead levels exceeding the EPA’s allowable limit.
The EPA and the Centers for Disease Control both warned that partial replacement could allow lead to leech from existing pipes and into the water supply.
Peduto said in his statement that the city knows what the problems are.
“We are looking to work with every partner to fix them,” he said. “We have to solve them safely, however,” Peduto said in his statement.
Welch said in his statement he was pleased to see the city take action.
“Halting the project is late in the making, but commended nonetheless,” he said. “I would urge PWSA and the Peduto administration to once again consider installing POE units in the homes ahead of service line replacements to make sure safe drinking water continues to be delivered in accordance with the Safe Drinking Water Act.”
Welch added, “This is no time for shortcuts.”
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