Is Pittsburgh tap water safe to drink?

Use caution filtration recommended

Pittsburgh's water has significant quality concerns. We strongly recommend a certified water filter.

58/100
Purity Score
3
Issues Found
3.6 GPG
Hardness
Unknown
PFAS

3 Issues Detected in Pittsburgh

Elevated Lead Risk

Lead contamination often caused by aging pipes especially homes built before 1986.

Lead data for Pittsburgh

High Chlorine Residual

Elevated chlorine can affect taste smell and skin.

Chlorine info for Pittsburgh

Arsenic Approaching Limit (0.7 mg/L)

EPA limit is 0.010 mg/L.

Arsenic info for Pittsburgh
Pennsylvania

152,011,520,215,203 · Allegheny River

Pittsburgh, PA Water Quality Report

Elevated Risk Updated March 2026 305,841 residents
See Best Filters for Pittsburgh
58
Purity Score

Contaminant Levels

Lead
22 ppb
Nitrate
1.1 mg/L
Arsenic
0.7 mg/L
Hardness
3.6 gpg

Health Insights

  • 1
    PFAS testing data is limited for Pittsburgh. Residents concerned about exposure may want to test independently.
  • 2
    Chlorine residuals in Pittsburgh are on the higher end. An activated carbon filter readily removes it.
  • 3
    Lead risk is elevated in Pittsburgh. A point-of-use filter certified to NSF/ANSI 53 is strongly recommended.

Score

58 /100
Poor
"Good" threshold (70)

Pittsburgh tap water is sourced from Allegheny River and treated by Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority. Lead levels are elevated due to aging infrastructure. Overall purity score: 58/100 (Poor). Updated for 2026.

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Pittsburgh Water FAQ

Is Pittsburgh PA tap water safe to drink in 2026?
Pittsburgh tap water meets EPA federal drinking water standards and scores 58/100 (Poor) on PurityMap for 2026. Lead levels exceed the EPA action level of 15 ppb especially in homes built before 1986. For most healthy adults the water is considered safe but point-of-use filtration adds an important layer of protection.
Does Pittsburgh PA use chlorine or chloramine for disinfection?
Pittsburgh uses chloramine as the primary disinfectant with a residual level of 2.3 ppm. Chloramine is harder to remove than free chlorine and requires a catalytic carbon or reverse osmosis filter. Standard Brita-style pitchers will NOT remove chloramine.
How hard is Pittsburgh PA water and what is the TDS level?
Pittsburgh water hardness is 3.6 grains per gallon (moderate) with a TDS of 130 ppm (good). This level is unlikely to cause significant scale buildup in household plumbing.
Has PFAS been found in Pittsburgh PA drinking water?
PFAS testing data for Pittsburgh is incomplete or pending under EPA UCMR5 monitoring. Check your utility CCR report for the latest results. A certified filter provides precautionary protection.
What is the best water filter for Pittsburgh?
Based on Pittsburgh's water profile, we recommend the Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher. Pittsburgh: PFAS detected or elevated lead risk. Reverse osmosis is the only residential technology proven to reduce both below detection limits. TDS will also drop significantly.

Nearby Reports

AllentownPennsylvania — 63/100PhiladelphiaPennsylvania — 67/100EriePennsylvania — 82/100ReadingPennsylvania — 82/100ScrantonPennsylvania — 82/100BethlehemPennsylvania — 82/100

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Data Sources

  • EPA SDWIS
  • EWG Tap Water Database
  • Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority CCR
  • USGS monitoring data

PurityMap compiles public data. Updated March 2026.

© 2026 PurityMap. For informational purposes only.

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