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

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

Fix Your Water — See Recommended Filters

Pennsylvania

152,011,520,215,203 · Allegheny River

Pittsburgh, PA: Water Quality and Filter Guide

Elevated Risk Updated March 2026 305,841 residents

See Best Filters for Pittsburgh

Purity Score

Chlorine levels in Pittsburgh's water supply are on the higher end of municipal treatment norms. This report covers taste and safety data alongside filter options that remove chlorine effectively.

Water Quality Data

Lead exceeds safe levels.

Hard water in Pittsburgh

Chlorine

High

Affects taste and skin. Carbon filter removes it.

Learn about chlorine

TDS

Unknown

High TDS (>500 ppm) may affect taste.

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.

Fix Your Water

Best filters matched to Pittsburgh's 3 issues.

See Filters

MATCHED TO PITTSBURGH'S WATER DATA

Best Water Filters for Pittsburgh, PA (2026)

Matched to High Lead Risk, High Chlorine in Pittsburgh.

High Lead Risk High Chlorine

Best Overall #1 for Pittsburgh

Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher

Pitcher Filter

$80-95

Why this fits Pittsburgh

Certified to reduce lead critical for Pittsburgh's plumbing risk
Eliminates chlorine taste and odor from Pittsburgh's water
NSF/ANSI 42 + NSF/ANSI 53 + NSF/ANSI 401 certified

Pros & Cons +

No installation fill and pour

Removes 365+ contaminants including PFAS

Small capacity 2-3 people

Filter replacements every 4 months

Fix Your Water — Check Price

Best Value

Waterdrop 10UA Under-Sink Filter

Under-Sink Carbon Filter

$40-60

Why this fits Pittsburgh

Certified to reduce lead critical for Pittsburgh's plumbing risk
Eliminates chlorine taste and odor from Pittsburgh's water
NSF/ANSI 42 certified

Pros & Cons +

Very affordable

Easy DIY install no plumber

Does not remove PFAS or hardness

Single point of use only

Check Price on Amazon

Best for Taste

Waterdrop G3P800 Tankless RO

Tankless Reverse Osmosis

$380-450

Why this fits Pittsburgh

Certified to reduce lead critical for Pittsburgh's plumbing risk
Eliminates chlorine taste and odor from Pittsburgh's water
NSF/ANSI 58 + NSF 372 certified

Pros & Cons +

No tank saves cabinet space

800 GPD fast flow rate

Higher upfront cost

Filter replacements are proprietary

Check Price on Amazon

Also Recommended

APEC Water Systems ROES-50

Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis

$195-220

Why this fits Pittsburgh

Certified to reduce lead critical for Pittsburgh's plumbing risk
Eliminates chlorine taste and odor from Pittsburgh's water
NSF/ANSI 58 certified

Pros & Cons +

5-stage filtration removes 99%+ of contaminants

Long-lasting filters (6-12 month replacement)

Requires under-sink installation

Wastes some water during filtration

Check Price on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, PurityMap may earn from qualifying purchases. Based on latest Pittsburgh water data.

Full Filter Comparison for Pittsburgh

Know exactly what's in YOUR tap

City data shows averages. Your home may differ.

Test Your Water — $25-30

About Pittsburgh's Water

High Chlorine in Pittsburgh Tap Water

Chlorine is a standard disinfectant used by municipal water systems to prevent bacterial contamination. Pittsburgh's water supply uses higher chlorine concentrations, which can affect taste, odor, and for some people skin and hair dryness with prolonged exposure. An activated carbon filter at the point of use removes chlorine quickly and cost-effectively. Whole-house carbon filtration is an option for households wanting chlorine-free water at every tap.

Lead in Pittsburgh Drinking Water: Safety Steps

Testing indicates elevated lead levels in Pittsburgh. Lead in tap water typically enters from lead service lines or solder in older home plumbing, not the source water itself. Children under 6 and pregnant women are most sensitive to lead exposure. A filter certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead removal is strongly recommended at any tap used for drinking or cooking. The EPA advises flushing cold water for 30 seconds before using it if pipes have been sitting unused.

Explore Pittsburgh Water Data

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

All Pennsylvania cities

Explore Water Quality by State

Compare across all 50 US states

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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.

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