What was found in Pittsburgh's water
The highest level seen across the city's suppliers, the EPA limit for each, and where the figure comes from.
| Contaminant | Level vs EPA limit | Suppliers | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copper | 3850 µg/L 296% of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 1300 µg/L | 13/16 | SYR4 |
| Nitrate | 1770 µg/L 18% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L | 5/16 | SYR4 |
| Fluoride | 1000 µg/L 25% of the EPA limit 4000 µg/L | 4/16 | SYR4 |
| Lead | 380 µg/L 2533% of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 15 µg/L | 13/16 | SYR4 |
| Nitrite | 350 µg/L 35% of the EPA limit 1000 µg/L | 2/16 | SYR4 |
| Barium | 269 µg/L 13% of the EPA limit 2000 µg/L | 5/16 | SYR4 |
| TTHM | 129.9 µg/L 162% of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 80 µg/L | 13/16 | SYR4 |
| Chloroform | 100.5 µg/L No EPA limit set | 12/16 | SYR4 |
| Dibromochloromethane | 68.3 µg/L No EPA limit set | 13/16 | SYR4 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | 57 µg/L 95% of the EPA limit 60 µg/L | 13/16 | SYR4 |
| Cyanide | 45 µg/L 23% of the EPA limit 200 µg/L | 2/16 | SYR4 |
| Bromodichloromethane | 39.7 µg/L No EPA limit set | 12/16 | SYR4 |
| Bromoform | 35.3 µg/L No EPA limit set | 11/16 | SYR4 |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | 32.9 µg/L No EPA limit set | 11/16 | SYR4 |
| Trichloroacetic Acid | 30.8 µg/L No EPA limit set | 12/16 | SYR4 |
| Monochloroacetic Acid | 9.54 µg/L No EPA limit set | 10/16 | SYR4 |
| Dibromoacetic Acid | 7.2 µg/L No EPA limit set | 10/16 | SYR4 |
| Chromium | 4.64 µg/L 4.6% of the EPA limit 100 µg/L | 1/16 | SYR4 |
| Monobromoacetic Acid | 3.05 µg/L No EPA limit set | 2/16 | SYR4 |
| Arsenic | 2 µg/L 20% of the EPA limit 10 µg/L | 2/16 | SYR4 |
| Di(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate | 1.2 µg/L 20% of the EPA limit 6 µg/L | 2/16 | SYR4 |
| Di(2-ethylhexyl) Adipate | 0.8200 µg/L 0.2% of the EPA limit 400 µg/L | 1/16 | SYR4 |
| Cadmium | 0.1300 µg/L 2.6% of the EPA limit 5 µg/L | 1/16 | SYR4 |
| Lead | 0.0204 mg/L 136% above the EPA limit of 0.0150 mg/L | 14/16 | LCR |
Water suppliers serving Pittsburgh
| Supplier | Population served |
|---|---|
| PITTSBURGH WATER & SEWER AUTH | 520,000 |
| WEST VIEW WATER AUTHORITY | 200,000 |
| PLUM BORO MUNI AUTH | 27,500 |
| FOX CHAPEL AUTH | 18,500 |
| ROBINSON TWP MUNI AUTH | 16,354 |
| NEVILLE TWP WATER DEPT | 6,750 |
| RESERVE TWP WATER DEPT | 3,204 |
| ASPINWALL BORO WATER DEPT | 3,151 |
| VA HEALTHCARE SYSTEM HEINZ | 3,112 |
| BLAWNOX BORO WATER DEPT | 2,200 |
| CARSON TOWERS | 266 |
| BELLEVUE MOBILE HOME PARK | 190 |
| RIVERSBEND MOBILE HOME PARK | 180 |
| EVERGREEN PLEASANT VALLEY TRAILER PARK | 94 |
| FAIRFIELD MANOR MHP | 92 |
| COUNTRYSIDE ESTATES MHP | 39 |
Frequently asked questions about Pittsburgh tap water
Is Pittsburgh tap water safe to drink?
EPA testing detected 24 contaminants in the water serving Pittsburgh. A detection isn't the same as a violation — most detected levels are within federal limits. Check the level and source for each contaminant above, and your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report for the official compliance status.
How many water suppliers serve Pittsburgh?
16 public water suppliers report drinking-water monitoring for Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to the EPA. Each is listed above with its population served.
What contaminants are in Pittsburgh's water?
The contaminants EPA monitoring detected in Pittsburgh include Copper, Nitrate, Fluoride, Lead, Nitrite. The full list, with the highest level found and the data source, is in the table above.
Where does this data come from?
Every figure is official EPA drinking-water monitoring — the Lead & Copper Rule, the UCMR-5 nationwide testing program, and the EPA Six-Year Review — not our own testing. Each number is labelled with its source and period.