Copper in Pittsburgh, PA Drinking Water
Copper data for Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania · 690,893 residents · 43 ZIP codes
ZipCheckup's reading of Copper in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Copper carries a moderate health-risk designation.
Across the water systems that serve Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Copper has appeared in EPA compliance samples - standard municipal treatment targets this contaminant, though detections in the compliance record indicate it has reached household taps at measurable levels.
Data: EPA SDWIS, CCR Reports, ECHO
Copper in Pittsburgh Tap Water
Copper appears in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania records only as an action-level exceedance on record. The EPA logs copper under the CU90 code only at or above the 1.3 mg/L action level and transmits no verified copper concentration. 2 ZIP codes in Pittsburgh carry a copper action-level exceedance on record. A ZIP with no copper record has not been shown to be clean: absence means no exceedance was reported, not that copper is safe.
This analysis covers 690,893 residents across 43 ZIP codes in Pittsburgh.
Is Copper in Pittsburgh Water Safe?
If a ZIP in Pittsburgh carries a copper exceedance on record, consider installing a reverse osmosis or nsf 53 carbon block filter certified under NSF 53 and testing your water independently.
Health Effects of Copper
- Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea (short-term, high levels)
- Liver and kidney damage (long-term)
- Particularly dangerous for people with Wilson's disease
- Infants are more sensitive than adults
Health risk severity: Moderate. Governed by the Lead and Copper Rule.
How Copper Gets Into Drinking Water
- Corrosion of copper household plumbing
- Acidic (low pH) water accelerates copper leaching
- New copper pipes leach more than aged ones
- Mining and industrial discharge (rare for tap water)
What to Do About Copper in Pittsburgh Water
- Run water for 30-60 seconds before use (flushes stagnant water)
- Install an NSF 53 or NSF 58 certified filter
- If pH is low, consider a whole-home acid neutralizer
- Test first-draw morning water to check actual copper levels
Look for filters certified under NSF 53 for copper removal.