Three rivers, the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio, cross through Pittsburgh’s metropolitan area. Disinfection: (Sodium Hypochlorite) This chemical is added after filtration in a storage tank, known as the Clearwell, to ensure that the disinfectant has enough contact with the water to remove microbial particles. For more information about the use of orthophosphate in our drinking water, please visit www.lead.pgh2o.com. By Associated Press , … Charges against the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority for violations of the Clean Water Act were announced by federal authorities Wednesday … The Mon River was classified by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection as impaired, or too contaminated to drink, in 2002. Emma Schultz M.S. Pittsburgh's Allegheny River is the source of our drinking water. For the 3RQ program, our focus is on the Upper Ohio River Basin. Reservoirs have been in place in the study area for more than 150 years for flood control (fig. Home> River Research> Pittsburgh Pool> Water Quality. Water is drawn from the Allegheny River before being treated at various treatment facilities. We monitor and test the level of these contaminants before, during, and after the treatment process to maximize their reduction and removal. Pittsburgh has a serious problem with lead in drinking water. We built four new facilities to add orthophosphate to the water distribution system after it leaves the Water Treatment Plant. The city of Pittsburgh and surrounding area of southwestern Pennsylvania face complex water quality problems, due in large part to aging wastewater infrastructures that cannot handle sewer overflows and stormwater runoff, especially during wet weather. As it leaves these storage facilities, gravity creates pressure to push water through miles of pipes to your home or business. Why Shouldn't I Use A TDS Meter To Assess My Home's Water Quality? It is also a large source of water pollution, dumping nearly 400 pounds of lead into the Allegheny River in 2016. VOCs, heavy metals [including lead], pharmaceuticals, solvents, pesticides, mercury). Report an Emergency Press 1 The chemicals that we list above are what we consider to be “points of emphasis” so we can build the best water filter for Pittsburgh tap water, but all of our home filtration water systems provide broad protection against other contaminants commonly found in drinking water (e.g. Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service. Chromium 6 is a highly toxic metal that is not currently regulated by the EPA. The authority on Wednesday pleaded guilty to federal charges, including falsifying written reports to the Environmental Protection Agency. Filtration: A filter consisting of anthracite coal and sand allow water to pass through at a slow rate to remove any remaining particles. Recent analysis for lead in Pittsburgh found a startling 90th percentile concentration of 20 parts per billion. Coagulation: (Ferric Chloride, Potassium Permanganate, Carbon, Catatonic Polymer) These chemicals produce a reaction that allows the particles from the river to stick together, making them easier to remove. What Do I Need To Know About Arsenic In Tap Water? Pittsburgh Pool Water Quality Report Kathy Knauer, M.S. The term “Pittsburgh basin” refers to the commonly accepted geological definition of the regional synclinal structure containing the Pittsburgh Coal Seam. A year-long study found orthophosphate to be more effective at reducing corrosion than our previous treatment method using soda ash and lime. In addition to the Allegheny River being used as the source of our drinking water, it is … Major river systems within the Pittsburgh District include the upper Ohio, the Allegheny, the Monongahela and the Beaver. Between 2010 and 2017, PWSA illegally discharged solids into the Allegheny River from its Aspinwall plant. Sedimentation: During this step, additional time is provided for particles to form and settle out of the water. For more information about the use of orthophosphate in our drinking water, please visit www.lead.pgh2o.com. Feel free to drop us a line: hello@hydroviv.com. Please Share This Pittsburgh Water Quality Article On Social Media With Anyone You Think Would Benefit From The Information! For a complete report of your water quality, please refer to the Water Quality Report located on the American Water web site For more information about water quality in your area, please contact our Water Quality Supervisor: Ryan Hardgrove @ 412-690-5436. Pittsburgh has become the poster child for how to transition from highly impacted industrial town to a healthy and vibrant community. Corrosion Control: In April of 2019, we began using orthophosphate to reduce lead levels in tap water. New Systems up to 58% off! Other. Our team then cross references these data with toxicity studies in scientific and medical literature. It's a fascinating experience to learn about your drinking water. We are the largest combined water and sewer authority in Pennsylvania producing an average of 70 million gallons of water daily and providing drinking water to the majority of Pittsburgh. This blue collar image holds true with a solid mix of industrial, agricultural, and urban zones that sit atop its soil.