Pittsburgh Water commits $32.1m to next lead service line replacement packages
Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority, Pennsylvania · Meeting date: October 23, 2026 · Published: October 25, 2026
The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority board has approved two 2026 neighbourhood lead service line replacement construction contracts, worth $28.2 million combined, alongside a $4.0 million construction management and inspection assignment. The utility said it remains on track to complete most residential lead service line replacements by end-2027.
Key points
- Independent Enterprises won the $13.88 million Contract B1 and $14.28 million Contract B2 construction awards.
- AECOM Technical Services was awarded $3.96 million for construction management and inspection services for the 2026 Contract B programme.
- Pittsburgh Water had replaced 16,416 public-side and 12,667 private-side lead service lines as of October 22.
- Contract B2 will cover Brighton Heights, Manchester, Elliott, Duquesne Heights, Allentown, Southside Flats and Mount Washington; B1 will focus on neighbourhoods including Garfield, North Oakland, Shadyside, Point Breeze, Squirrel Hill North, Regent Square and Greenfield.
- The utility expects residual work extending into 2028 to consist primarily of surface restoration.
Full report
Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority has approved nearly $32.1 million in new contracts for its 2026 neighbourhood lead service line replacement programme, as it works towards completing the vast majority of residential replacements by the end of 2027.
The board approved two construction packages for the programme, both awarded to Independent Enterprises. Contract B1 carries a capital budget of $13.88 million, while Contract B2 is valued at $14.28 million. It also approved a $3.96 million professional-services agreement with AECOM Technical Services for construction management and inspection for the 2026 Contract B programme.
The awards extend a programme that had replaced 16,416 public-side and 12,667 private-side lead service lines by October 22. Pittsburgh Water currently has 11 active construction contracts involving lead service line replacement, spanning neighbourhood replacement contracts, small-diameter water-main replacement and urgent lead work.
Engineering staff said the work includes verifying service-line materials, replacing lead services, replacing water mains where required, and restoring paving and landscaping.
Contract B1 will principally cover Garfield, North Oakland, Shadyside, Point Breeze, Squirrel Hill North, Regent Square and Greenfield. Contract B2 will serve Brighton Heights, Manchester, Elliott, Duquesne Heights, Allentown, Southside Flats and Mount Washington.
Board members questioned whether assigning both packages to the same contractor could affect delivery capacity as the utility approaches its 2027 objective. Engineering staff said Independent Enterprises has substantial existing work for Pittsburgh Water, but has not had material capacity issues and has generally performed to schedule. The contractor was, earlier in the year, ahead of schedule on a small-diameter water-main contract in Elliott, staff said.
AECOM was selected from two bidders for the construction management and inspection assignment. Staff said the firm has routinely performed this work for the authority and has a strong understanding of the programme’s requirements.
The utility said it was tracking well to finish residential lead service line replacements by the end of 2027. Some work will continue into 2028, primarily surface restoration rather than replacement activity.
The board’s approvals add to a wider capital programme intended to modernise Pittsburgh Water’s distribution system. The utility operates more than 900 miles of service lines and over 80,000 customer connection points. Operations staff said replacing old service lines and water mains also addresses leakage, contributing to lower production requirements at the drinking-water treatment plant.
This summary was generated by AI based on the source document and may contain errors.
Source: Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority Board Meeting, Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority