Pittsburgh Adds Orthophosphate To Lead Service Lines

The City of Pittsburgh has struggled to contain lead levels in its drinking water for years. Now, the introduction of a treatment chemical is giving officials hope that the issue will soon be resolved.

“The addition of a food-grade chemical called orthophosphate to Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority’s [PWSA] distribution system is expected to lower lead levels for its 300,000 consumers within months,” WESA reported. “The change … comes nearly three years after PWSA first exceeded the federal action level for lead in drinking water.”

Orthophosphate is a fairly common solution to lead contamination problems that have affected water systems around the country. The chemical coats the inside of lead service lines, creating a barrier between the metal and the drinking water as it travels to consumers. About 15 percent of PWSA’s residential customers are still served by lead service lines.

Introducing orthophosphate on a significant scale meant PWSA had to build four new facilities and it conducted a lengthy study in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection [DEP] before it did so.

“Under its agreement with DEP the authority must stagger the addition of orthophosphate across several weeks,” per WESA. “In order to ensure that orthophosphate adheres to its pipes, PWSA will begin to flush transmission mains, distribution mains and fire hydrants to scour away sediment. The flushing also helps move orthophosphate-treated water to homes more quickly.”

As the orthophosphate is introduced across the city, scientists will keep an eye on its effectiveness.

“Lab technicians and engineers are monitoring the system’s water quality to further confirm its application throughout water pipes across the city,” the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported.

But the chemical addition is just a stop-gap measure to protect consumers from lead consumption. To truly solve the problem at its root cause, PWSA is working to replace all of its lead service lines — an expensive, time consuming, and disruptive final solution — and provide point-of-use filters to residents.

“Pittsburgh’s beleaguered water authority will spend $50 million to replace lead service lines, give filters to low-income residents and take other steps to address the city’s lead crisis under a settlement approved by state utility regulators,” according to CBS Pittsburgh.

PWSA expects to replace 4,500 lead service lines this year, per WESA. The agency and residents are hopeful that the combined efforts will yield real progress in the city’s fight against lead contamination.

“PWSA expects to see lower lead levels by its next round of state-mandated testing in June,” WESA reported.

To read more about how water utilities deal with lead in drinking water visit Water Online’s Drinking Water Contaminant Removal Solutions Center.