The Department of Environmental Health and Safety and the Office of Facilities Management coordinate programs to proactively monitor water quality in our Pittsburgh campus buildings. This includes monitoring for heavy metals (e.g. lead). Issues or areas of concern identified per proactive monitoring are subject to additional testing and follow-up.
Testing for Lead
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All Housing facilities and buildings with elementary-age children (including Falk School and the University Child Development Center) are tested annually for lead.
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Other University buildings are tested for lead on a three-year cycle.
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Additional testing is conducted if there is an area or issue of concern.
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Most sampled locations are below 5 ppb; none exceed the U.S. standard of 15 ppb.
Resources
The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority supplies water to the University’s Pittsburgh campus. Information on Pittsburgh’s water quality can be found on PWSA’s water quality reports and community lead response information pages.
PgH2O: Understanding Lead and Water
PgH2O: Water Quality Reports