Pittsburgh, PA: 77 Health Violations — 64/100 (2026)
77 ZIP codes · 12 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
If you're checking Pittsburgh, PA tap water safety, the short answer is: average — violations are present in parts of the city and specifics depend on which water system serves your address.
How Pittsburgh Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Pittsburgh, PA
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Distribution of water safety grades across Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 847 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0036 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $2,258 per household.
Water Systems Serving Pittsburgh
3 independent water providers serve Pittsburgh, PA — 12 systems appear in federal records.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 77 ZIP codes in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (population ~690,893), covering 12 community water systems serving approximately 1,058,435 people region-wide.
77 of 77 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 77 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Pittsburgh: C (64/100)
The score combines three factors:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| Lead Levels | 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
Water Sources
Pittsburgh water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0036 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 77 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| E. coli | Microbiological | 156 | 77 |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 156 | 77 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 156 | 77 |
| Chlorite | Disinfection Byproducts | 78 | 77 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 78 | 77 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15201 | C | 11 | 1 | Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority |
| 15202 | C | 11 | 1 | West View Water Authority |
| 15203 | C | 11 | 1 | Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority |
| 15204 | C | 11 | 1 | Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority |
| 15205 | C | 11 | 1 | Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority |
| 15206 | C | 11 | 1 | Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority |
| 15207 | C | 11 | 1 | Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority |
| 15208 | C | 11 | 1 | Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority |
| 15209 | D | 11 | 1 | Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority |
| 15210 | C | 11 | 1 | Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority |
All ZIP Codes in Pittsburgh
- 15201 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15202 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15203 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15204 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15205 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15206 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15207 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15208 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15209 [D] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15210 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15211 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15212 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15213 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15214 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15215 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15216 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15217 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15218 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15219 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15220 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15221 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15222 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15223 [D] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15224 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15225 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15226 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15227 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15228 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15229 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15230 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15231 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15232 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15233 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15234 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15235 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15236 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15237 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15238 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15239 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15240 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15241 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15242 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15243 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15244 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15250 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15251 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15252 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15253 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15254 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15255 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15257 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15258 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15259 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15260 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15261 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15262 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15263 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15264 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15265 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15267 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15268 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15270 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15272 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15273 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15274 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15275 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15276 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15277 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15278 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15279 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15281 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15282 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15283 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15286 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15289 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15290 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
- 15295 [C] — 11 violations ⚠
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
Key Contaminants Detected in Pittsburgh
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Pittsburgh: Remediation Cost in Perspective
How does remediation fit within the broader financial picture for Pittsburgh homeowners? The equity share is moderate — large enough that treating it as a real planning consideration makes sense, and manageable enough that most homeowners have a clear path to addressing documented water and safety issues when they approach the commitment with deliberate advance budgeting rather than as an unplanned expense.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Pittsburgh. The estimated $1,460–$3,229 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 1% above the Pennsylvania average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Pittsburgh
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Lead risk in Pittsburgh appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Pittsburgh
Flood exposure in Pittsburgh is substantial — 2178 NFIP claims on record and 51% of ZIP codes within FEMA-designated zones. That volume of documented flood activity places water-quality implications of flooding firmly in the active-risk category rather than the hypothetical.
Pittsburgh has a significant flood history with 2,178 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $14,718 per claim. With 51% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated flood zones, flood risk is a major concern for homeowners and water quality.
How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$2,258</strong> remediation cost per household.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones — over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
What You Can Do in Pittsburgh
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for E. coli can reduce the most common contaminant found in Pittsburgh's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Pittsburgh, PA