Rep. Summer Lee Applauds Pittsburgh Water’s 14,000th Lead Line Replacement

January 9, 2026

WASHINGTON, D.C. – JANUARY 9, 2026 — Today, Congresswoman Summer L. Lee (PA-12) applauded Pittsburgh Water’s announcement celebrating its 14,000th lead service line as part of its nationally recognized Community Lead Response initiative — a milestone made possible in large part by historic federal investments in water infrastructure secured during the Biden Administration.

“Replacing 14,000 lead lines means thousands of families can turn on their taps with confidence, kids can grow up healthier, and communities that have been ignored for far too long can continue to see real investment and real care,” said Rep. Lee. “This is what it looks like when we put people first and use public dollars to deliver dignity, safety, and opportunity in our neighborhoods. I want to congratulate Pittsburgh Water and the entire workforce that made this milestone possible. Their commitment and hard work are protecting public health every single day, and Pittsburgh is showing the nation what’s possible when we invest boldly and center equity, setting the standard for communities across the country.”

Pittsburgh Water announced that the milestone was achieved as part of its aggressive effort to fully replace all residential lead service lines by 2027. The utility credited significant state and federal funding, including hundreds of millions in low-interest loans and grants administered through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST), helping ensure the work comes at no direct cost to customers.

Congresswoman Lee has consistently advocated for robust federal investments in clean drinking water, lead remediation, and environmental justice — delivering resources directly to communities in PA-12 and working alongside local, state, and federal partners to accelerate lead pipe replacement.

Rep. Lee’s Action on Clean Water

Congresswoman Lee has played a leading role in securing funding, advancing legislation, and elevating public awareness around lead remediation and water infrastructure, including:

Celebrated Pittsburgh’s 10,000th Lead Service Line Replacement alongside federal, state, and local leaders, highlighting the impact of coordinated investment in public health and infrastructure:
Announced $32.1 million in low-interest loans and grants to Pittsburgh Water to continue removing lead service lines and modernizing the region’s drinking water system:
Joined the EPA Assistant Administrator for Water to announce a $52.4 million WIFIA funding award supporting water infrastructure improvements in the Pittsburgh region:
Secured passage of an amendment  increasing funding for testing and remediation of lead contamination in drinking water at schools and child care facilities, which was included in the FY2024 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.
Celebrated major progress on lead pipe replacement and children’s health with EPA and Pittsburgh Water leaders, underscoring the public health benefits of accelerated lead removal:
Hosted the Vice President and EPA Administrator in Pittsburgh to announce $5.8 billion in nationwide drinking water and wastewater infrastructure funding, including $200 million for Pennsylvania:
Spoke on the House floor against legislation that would weaken pollution protections, defending clean water and public health for Western Pennsylvanians.
Announced $190,940 for Women for a Healthy Environment to combat lead poisoning in Pittsburgh and expand community-based public health protections.

Together, these efforts reflect Congresswoman Lee’s continued commitment to environmental justice, infrastructure investment, and ensuring every family, regardless of zip code, has access to safe, clean, affordable drinking water.

Congresswoman Summer Lee serves on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and the Committee on Education and Workforce. Since taking office in January 2023, she has delivered historic levels of federal investment totaling over $2.4 Billion brought back to Western PA, including over $580 million for infrastructure, over $110 million for affordable transit, over $500 million to keep clean energy manufacturing at home in Pennsylvania, and over $55 million on clean energy efforts in and around schools to help keep our kids and communities safe. These investments will help improve Western Pennsylvania’s infrastructure and transit, ensure cleaner air and drinking water, lower housing costs, fund research institutions, fuel clean manufacturing, fund STEM innovation and entrepreneurship, boost workforce development, and create thousands of good paying union jobs.  Lee and her team have also delivered casework and constituent services to over 3,000 constituents with issues ranging from helping our seniors and disabled community access Medicare and social security to helping folks secure housing and helping families with immigration support and passports.