Notice of Board of Directors Meeting

The Wilkinsburg-Penn Joint Water Authority Board of Directors Workshop Business meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at 6:30PM with the Regular Meeting immediately following. The public is welcome to participate by sending any public comment to the Board by noon on September 22, 2026, at bbianchi@wpjwa.com, which public comment will be provided to the Board at the meeting. In-person public comments will be heard at the beginning of the Regular Business meeting prior to any action on agenda items. Public comments will be limited to three (3) minutes per member of the public

Frequently asked questions about our services

Facts on LEAD

HOW TO HAVE YOUR WATER SAMPLED FOR LEAD

The following labs will send a sample bottle with instructions on how to sample along with an informational sheet to fill out to any consumer that wishes to have their home sampled for LEAD in their water. Once sampled, the lab will tell you how to return the sample prepaid, whether by mail, fed-ex, or a courier that will pick up sample. 

CONTRACT LABORATORIES FOR LEAD

The following are the names and addresses of labs that will run the lead analyses:

CWM Environmental
101 Parkview Drive Ext.
Kittanning, PA 16201
Phone: 724-543-3011
http://www.cwmenvironmental.com/

Pace Analytical Services Inc.

575 Broadhollow Rd.
Melville, NY 11747
Phone: 516-370-6000
http://www.pacelabs.com/

Periodically, you will see Authority personnel releasing water from hydrants. Although it may appear to waste water, this process is part of a routine maintenance program necessary to maintain the integrity of the water system and to continue to deliver the highest quality water possible to our customers. Hydrant flushing is necessary to make sure hydrants function properly. Flushing is also done to remove sediment from the pipes in order to maintain water clarity and quality in the distribution pipes.

When the Authority is flushing in your area you may experience a loss of water, low pressure or may see some discoloration in your water. This is only a temporary condition and normal water service will be restored promptly.

The meter dial pictured below is typical of most residential meters. The dial on the meter serving your home may look somewhat different, but they all work on the same principles.

1. Flow Indicator

This flow indicator triangle rotates whenever water flows through the meter. If the triangle turns when all the water is off on your property, you may have a leak, which should be investigated.

2. Register Sweep Hand

Each full revolution of the register sweep hand indicates that one cubic foot of water (about 7.48 gallons) has passed through the meter. The markings at the outer edge of the dial indicate tenths and hundredths of one cubic foot.

3. The Register

The water meter register is a lot like the mileage odometer on your car. The numbers keep a running total of all the water that has passed through the meter. The register shown here indicates that 345,710 cubic feet of water has passed through this meter.

  1. Remove the cover on the toilet tank and carefully set it aside so it can’t be accidentally knocked over and cracked. Remove any “in-tank” bowl cleaners that color the water and begin the test with clear water in the tank as well as in the bowl.
  2. You’ll need some dye. Dye capsules or tablets, food coloring, instant coffee or powdered fruit drink mix all work fine. Now put enough dye in the tank water to give the water a deep color. Wait 30 minutes and make sure nobody uses the toilet.
  3. In 30 minutes if you find any of the dyed water is now in the toilet bowl — your toilet is leaking. A properly operating toilet will store water in the tank indefinitely without any water running into the bowl.

These definitions are not intended to be complete or to have legal force, but rather to help consumers understand drinking water-related terms in the context of their daily lives.

Acoustic Leak Detectors

Devices that “listen” for water leaks in underground pipes.

Action Level

The level of lead or copper which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements that a water system must follow.

Aquifer

A natural underground layer, often of sand or gravel, that contains water.

Best Available Technology

The water treatment(s) that EPA certifies to be the most effective for removing a contaminant.

Bioenergy

Energy made from the biocompression of organic material like ethanol.

Brackish Water

Mix of fresh and salt water.

Chronic Health Effect

The possible result of exposure over many years to a drinking water contaminant at levels above its MCL.

Coliform

A group of related bacteria whose presence in drinking water may indicate contamination by disease-causing microorganisms.

Community Water System

A water system which supplies drinking water to 25 or more of the same people year-round in their residences.

Compliance

The act of meeting all state and federal drinking water regulations.

Concession

Transaction in which a private entity makes an up-front payment for the right to operate municipal infrastructure assets on a long-term basis.

Contaminant

Anything found in water (including microorganisms, minerals,etc.) which may be harmful to human health.

Cryptosporidium

A microorganism commonly found in lakes and rivers which is highly resistant to disinfection. Cryptosporidium has caused several large outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness, with symptoms that include diarrhea, nausea, and/or stomach cramps. People with severely weakened immune systems (that is, severely immuno-compromised) are likely to have more severe and more persistent symptoms than healthy individuals.

DBO

Design/Build/Operate.

Desalination

Process that removes salt from seawater, turning it into drinking water.

Disinfectant

A chemical (commonly chlorine, chloramine, or ozone) or physical process (e.g., ultraviolet light) that kills microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and protozoa.

Distribution System

A network of pipes leading from a treatment plant to customers’ plumbing systems.

Exemption

State or EPA permission for a water system not to meet a certain drinking water standard. An exemption allows a system additional time to obtain financial assistance or make improvements in order to come into compliance with the standard. The system must prove that: (1) there are compelling reasons (including economic factors) why it cannot meet a MCL or Treatment Technique; (2) it was in operation on the effective date of the requirement; and (3) the exemption will not create an unreasonable risk to public health. The state must set a schedule under which the water system will comply with the standard for which it received an exemption.

Finished Water

Water that has been treated and is ready to be delivered to customers.

Flow-equalization System

Process in the water and wastewater system that equalizes the flow in peak hours during the day, when customers use the most water.

Giardia lamblia

A microorganism frequently found in rivers and lakes, which, if not treated properly, may cause diarrhea, fatigue, and cramps after ingestion.

Ground Water

The water that systems pump and treat from aquifers (natural reservoirs below the earth’s surface).

Health Advisory

An EPA document that provides guidance and information on contaminants that can affect human health and that may occur in drinking water, but which EPA does not currently regulate in drinking water.

Infrastructure

Pipes, pumps, filtration equipment and treatment plants used for the collection, treatment and distribution of drinking water.

Inorganic Contaminants

Mineral-based compounds such as metals, nitrates, and asbestos. These contaminants are naturally-occurring in some water, but can also get into water through farming, chemical manufacturing, and other human activities. EPA has set legal limits on 15 inorganic contaminants.

Materiality

Information in a corporate responsibility report that reflects the organization’s significant economic, environmental and social impacts or that substantively influences the assessments and decisions of stakeholders.

Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL)

The highest level of a contaminant that EPA allows in drinking water. MCLs ensure that drinking water does not pose either a short-term or long-term health risk. EPA sets MCLs at levels that are economically and technologically feasible. Some states set MCLs which are more strict than EPA’s.

Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG)

The level of a contaminant at which there would be no risk to human health. This goal is not always economically or technologically feasible, and the goal is not legally enforceable.

Microorganisms

Tiny living organisms that can be seen only with the aid of a microscope. Some microorganisms can cause acute health problems when consumed in drinking water. Also known as microbes.

Monitoring

Testing that water systems must perform to detect and measure contaminants. A water system that does not follow EPA’s monitoring methodology or schedule is in violation, and may be subject to legal action.

Non-Transient, Non-Community Water System

A water system which supplies water to 25 or more of the same people at least six months per year in places other than their residences. Some examples are schools, factories, office buildings, and hospitals which have their own water systems.

Organic Contaminants

Carbon-based chemicals, such as solvents and pesticides, which can get into water through runoff from cropland or discharge from factories. EPA has set legal limits on 56 organic contaminants.

Primacy State

A State that has the responsibility and authority to administer EPA’s drinking water regulations within its borders. The State must have rules at least as stringent as EPA’s.

Public Notification

An advisory that EPA requires a water system to distribute to affected consumers when the system has violated MCLs or other regulations. The notice advises consumers what precautions, if any, they should take to protect their health.

Public-Private Partnership

Partnership between a municipality that owns the water system and the private water company that operates and maintains it.

Public Utility Commission (PUC)

State commission or other entity engaged in economic regulation of public utilities. Also called board of public utilities (BPU) in some states.

Public Water System (PWS)

Any water system which provides water to at least 25 people for at least 60 days annually. There are more than 170,000 PWSs providing water from wells, rivers and other sources to about 250 million Americans. The others drink water from private wells. There are differing standards for PWSs of different sizes and types.

Rate Case

Process to obtain approval for a change in rate that involves filing a petition with a state public utility commission (PUC) or board of public utilities (BPU).

Raw Water

Water in its natural state, prior to any treatment for drinking.

Reclaimed Water

Treated water that is recycled for use in toilet flushing, irrigation and cooling systems. Also known as reuse or reclamation.

Regulatory Lag

Length of time between putting infrastructure in the ground and when the company may seek recovery on the cost.

Reuse

Treated water that is recycled for use in toilet flushing, irrigation, and cooling systems. Also known as reclamation or reclaimed water.

Sample

The water that is analyzed for the presence of EPA-regulated drinking water contaminants. Depending on the regulation, EPA requires water systems and states to take samples from source water, from water leaving the treatment facility, or from the taps of selected consumers.

Sanitary Survey

An on-site review of the water sources, facilities, equipment, operation, and maintenance of a public water systems for the purpose of evaluating the adequacy of the facilities for producing and distributing safe drinking water.

Secondary Drinking Water Standards

Non-enforceable federal guidelines regarding cosmetic effects (such as tooth or skin discoloration) or aesthetic effects (such as taste, odor, or color) of drinking water.

Sole Source Aquifer

An aquifer that supplies 50 percent or more of the drinking water of an area.

Source Water

Water in its natural state, prior to any treatment for drinking.

Surface Water

The water that systems pump and treat from sources open to the atmosphere, such as rivers, lakes, and reservoirs.

Transient, Non-Community Water System

A water system which provides water in a place such as a gas station or campground where people do not remain for long periods of time. These systems do not have to test or treat their water for contaminants which pose long-term health risks because fewer than 25 people drink the water over a long period. They still must test their water for microbes and several chemicals.

Treatment Technique

A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.

Turbidity

The cloudy appearance of water caused by the presence of tiny particles. High levels of turbidity may interfere with proper water treatment and monitoring.

Ultraviolet Disinfection System

System that eliminates bacteria in water using ultraviolet radiation.

Value Engineering

Finding alternatives for designs, materials, processes and systems without diminishing quality or customer satisfaction.

Variance

State or EPA permission not to meet a certain drinking water standard. The water system must prove that: (1) it cannot meet a MCL, even while using the best available treatment method, because of the characteristics of the raw water, and (2) the variance will not create an unreasonable risk to public health. The State or EPA must review, and allow public comment on, a variance every three years. States can also grant variances to water systems that serve small populations and which prove that they are unable to afford the required treatment, an alternative water source, or otherwise comply with the standard.

Violation

A failure to meet any state or federal drinking water regulation.

Water Line Protection

Service offering to customers that protects them against the cost of repairing broken or leaking pipes.

Watershed

The land area from which water drains into a stream, river, or reservoir.

Wellhead Protection

Are the area surrounding a drinking water well or well field which is protected to prevent contamination of the well(s).

Glossary courtesy of the United States Environmental Protection Agency
URL: http://www.epa.gov/safewater/glossary.htm

  1. According to the Wilkinsburg-Penn Joint Water Authority’s rules and regulations, all commercial properties are required to take steps to prevent cross connection and back flow to the public water system. This includes the installation of an approved back flow prevention device and having it tested annually.

    Failure to comply can result in termination of water service.

    What is cross connection and back flow?

    Cross connection is any actual or physical connection between a potable (drinkable) water supply and any source of non-potable liquid, solid or gas that could contaminate drinking water under certain circumstances.

    Back flow is the reverse flow of water or other substances through a cross connection into the treated drinking water distribution system. There are two types of back flow back pressure and back-siphonage.

    Back pressure – when the pressure of the contaminant source exceeds the positive pressure in the water distribution main. An example would be when a drinking water supply main has a connection to a hot water boiler system that is not protected by an approved and functioning back flow preventer. If pressure in the boiler system increases to where it exceeds the pressure in the water distribution system, back flow from the boiler to the drinking water supply system may occur.

    Back-siphonage – this is caused by a negative pressure in the water distribution system. This situation is similar in effect to the sipping of water through a straw. Negative pressure in the drinking water distribution system can happen because of a water main break or when a fire hydrant is in use for fighting fires.

    How to prevent back flow contamination.

    All commercial properties are required to have an approved and functioning back flow preventer installed. Installation and testing of back flow preventers must be completed by someone certified in the installation and testing of back flow preventers. The cost of the device, installation, and testing is the responsibility of the customer. We recommend that customers obtain cost estimates for installation.  All devices are required to be tested on an annual basis starting with the first test upon installation.

    Implementation of a program.

    Title 25 – Environmental Protection, Chapter 109, Safe Drinking Water Act, Section 109.709b, Allegheny County Health Department plumbing codes and the Wilkinsburg-Penn Joint Water Authority back flow prevention cross connection control program.

    Types of Back flow Prevention Devices.

    The type of devices depends on what the degree of hazard is present at your location. A reduced pressure zone assembly (RPZ) should be installed at high hazard properties; a double check valve assembly or a double detector check valve (DCVA/DDCVA) should be installed in lower hazard properties. To schedule a survey to find out what type of device may be required at your property please contact any of the following people Monday through Friday between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm at 412-243-6200:

    Amber Klein Ext. 3475

    John Baurle Ext. 6180

    Options to returning completed back flow prevention test form.

    Mail to: The Wilkinsburg-Penn Joint Water Authority

    2200 Robinson Boulevard
    Pittsburgh, PA 15129
    Fax: 412-243-6210
    e-mail: aklein@wpjwa.com

  1. 1 cubic foot of water = 7.48 gallons of water

    One complete revolution of the sweep hand on a standard residential water meters equals1 cubic foot of water.

    1. What are some common reasons for frozen pipes?

      Water pipes will usually be more susceptible to freezing when the outdoor air temperature is below the “teens” and “twenties” for more than several weeks. Special attention should be given when the outdoor temperature does not rise above zero degrees during the daytime hours. Some reasons for frozen pipes include:

      ■  Unheated basement where the water meter and pipes are located;

      ■  Uninsulated pipes running against cold outside walls;

      ■  Open or broken windows near water meters or pipes;

      ■  Openings or cracks that allow cold air to affect the water meter or pipes;

      ■  Water meter and water pipes enclosed or boxed in against outside walls.

      How will I know if my pipes are frozen?

      Generally, when a pipe that feeds a certain fixture such as a shower, sink, or toilet freezes, you will not be able to get water from that fixture.

      Why do frozen water pipes break?

      When water freezes within a pipe, the volume of water expands. The same amount of water takes up more space as a solid than as a liquid. This causes the pipes to expand and possibly break at a weak point. You may notice this immediately, or it may not become apparent until the pipe begins to thaw, with the break occurring only when full water pressure is restored.

      Does this apply to water service lines (the pipes that run from the house to the street) as well as indoor pipes?

      Yes! Water service lines can freeze when the ground frost gets deep enough to encase your service line in ice. However, this generally happens only when your service line is less than five feet below the surface of the ground. 

      What should I do if my pipes freeze?

      Your best course of action is to call a professional plumber.

      Can I try thawing the pipes myself?

      Yes, but you’ll need to be very careful! Here are some of the safer methods:

      ■ If possible, expose a boxed-in area to the heat within your home;

      ■ Use a heat gun or a hair dryer to thaw the pipe.

      ■ Rub the pipe with warm, damp rags to slowly thaw the line;

      Keep the faucet open while thawing the pipe. As the frozen area begins to melt, water begins to flow. This will help melt more ice in the pipe. Apply heat until full water pressure is restored; The broken pipe will have to be soldered or replaced. You must be the judge of whether you can do this yourself, or whether you’ll need to call a plumber. If you are unable to locate the frozen pipe, or if the frozen area is not accessible, or if you cannot thaw the pipe, call a licensed plumber immediately! Whatever you do, DO NOT try to thaw a frozen pipe with a blowtorch or an open flame device. There’s a good chance that you will cause the water to boil within the pipe, resulting in an explosion when the pipe bursts. All open flames in homes present a serious fire danger, as well as a severe risk of exposure to lethal carbon monoxide.

      How can I prevent my pipes from freezing in the first place?

      There are many things you can do to keep your pipes from freezing in extreme weather:

      ■ Keeping the water meter area or pipes on “outside” walls exposed to heat from nearby rooms;

      ■ Allow warm air to circulate around pipes. Open bathroom and kitchen cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing.

      ■ You can buy products made specifically to insulate water pipes, such as “pipe sleeves,” “heat tape,” “heat cables,” or other similar products. Most of them are available at your local building supply center. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installing and using these products;

      ■ Check your home for areas where water pipes are located, especially those in unheated areas. Look in the basement, crawl spaces, attic, garage, and under kitchen and bathroom cabinets. Both hot and cold water pipes should be insulated – one can freeze just as easily as the other if water is not running through the pipe and the temperature in the pipe is cold;

      ■ Caulk and seal any openings in outside walls near your water pipes.

      ■ Remove, drain, and store any hoses used outdoors. Close the inside valves that supply outdoor faucets, and open those faucets so the water can drain out. And leave it open, so that any water remaining in the pipe can expand without causing the pipe to break;

      ■ If it’s absolutely necessary, keep some tap water running. Not a lot; just a trickle. Moving water doesn’t freeze as readily as stagnant water. Understand, though that this method will result in an increased water bill;

      ■ If no one will be home for an extended period of time during extreme weather (going to Florida for the winter?), you might consider turning your main valve off altogether and draining your system, including all water pipes and fixtures. That way, there will be no water in your pipes to freeze! Even if your pipes have never frozen before, there’s always the chance that a severe cold snap could cause an electrical blackout that disables your furnace. Winterizing your water system will ensure that your pipes don’t freeze.

      For a printable version click here

Be a Leak Seeker

If you think you may have a water leak, your water meter is your best detective.

  • Turn off all faucets and water-using appliances, such as the dish and clothes washers.
  • Locate your water meter.
  • Note the position of the sweep hand, or use a marker on the lens cover to mark the position.
  • Wait 20-30 minutes and check the sweep hand location again. If the sweep hand has moved, you probably have a leak somewhere in your system.
  • Most meters have a red “telltale” indicator. If you see it moving when all water is off, you probably have a leak.

Looking For Leaks

  • Your toilet may have a silent leak.
  • Check for moist spots around and under the house plumbing and around outdoor plumbing.
  • Drips, unseen or unfixed, they can drip hundreds, even thousands, of gallons of water wastefully down the drain.

Here is a handy chart to help you gauge just how much water you can lose when leaks occur.

Estimated Water Loss Through Leaks (http://www.awwa.org/waterwiser/)
Number of Drips Per MinuteGallons of Water Wasted Per DayGallons of Water Wasted Per MonthGallons of Water Wasted Per Year
101.543526
304.31301577
608.62593154
12017.35186307
30043.21,29615,768

Water is used in a number of ways that you would never expect. From automobile tires to hamburgers, water is essential in the production of many everyday items. Here are just a few examples, as well as some other water-related trivia.

How much water does it take to process a quarter pound of hamburger?
Approximately one gallon

How much water does it take to produce one ton of steel?
62,600 gallons

How much water is used to produce a single day’s supply of U.S. newsprint?
300 million gallons

What is the total amount of water used to manufacture a new car, including new tires?
39,090 gallons per car

How much water must a dairy cow drink to produce one gallon of milk?
Four gallons

How much water is used during the growing/production of a chicken?
400 gallons

How much water is used during the growing/production of almonds?
12 gallons

How much water is used during the growing/production of french fries?
6 gallons

How much water is used during the growing/production of a single orange?
13.8 gallons

How much water is used during the growing/production of a watermelon?
100 gallons

How much water is used during the growing/production of a loaf of bread?
150 gallons

How much water is used during the growing/production of a tomato?
3 gallons

How much water Is used during the production of an egg?
120 gallons

Water is the only substance found on earth naturally in three forms.
(Solid, liquid and gas)

Does water regulate the earth’s temperature?
Yes (it is a natural insulator)

At what temperature does water freeze?
32 degrees F, 0 degrees C

At what temperature does water vaporize?
212 degrees F, 100 degrees C

How long can a person live without food?
More than a month

How long can a person live without water?
Approximately one week, depending upon conditions

How much of the human body is water?
66%

How much of the earth’s surface is water?
80%

How much water must a person consume per day to maintain health?
2.5 quarts from all sources (i.e. water, food)

Of all the earth’s water, how much is ocean or seas?
97%

How much of the world’s water is frozen and therefore unusable?
2%

How much of the earth’s water is suitable for drinking water?
1%

Is it possible for me to drink water that was part of the dinosaur era?
Yes – water is constantly recycled

What is the most common substance found on earth?
Water

How much water does the average residence use during a year?
Over 100,000 gallons (indoors and outside)

How much water does an individual use daily?
Over 100 gallons (all uses)

How many community public water systems are there in the United States?
54,000

How much water do these utilities process daily?
38 billion gallons

What does it cost to operate the water systems throughout the country annually?
Over $3.5 billion

How many miles of pipeline and aqueducts are in the United States and Canada?
Approximately one million miles, or enough to circle the earth 40 times

What were the first water pipes made from in the US?
Fire charred bored logs

Where was the first municipal water filtration works opened and when?
Paisley, Scotland in 1832

Of the nation’s community water supplies, what percentage are investor-owned?
15 %

How many households use private wells for their water supply?
More than 13 million

How much water is used to flush a toilet?
2-7 gallons

How much water is used in the average five-minute shower?
15-25 gallons

How much water is used on the average for an automatic dishwasher?
9-12 gallons

On the average, how much is used to hand wash dishes?
9-20 gallons

How much does one gallon of water weigh?
8.34 pounds

What is the weight of water in one cubic foot?
62.4 pounds

How much water drops with an inch of rain on one acre of ground?
27,154 gallons, which weighs 113 tons

Courtesy of the United States Environmental Protection Agency
http://www.epa.gov/safewater/glossary.htm

When an emergency such as a major leak or broken water pipe occurs, the first thing you will need to do is shut the water off. If you act quickly, you may prevent costly water damage to your home and valuables.

Your master shut-off valve is usually located next to or near the water meter. Your water meter is located where your water service enters your dwelling. It may be in the basement or utility area. Once you find the master shut-off valve, test it to see that it works properly by closing it and checking to see if the water is off. Label the valve with bright colored tape or a sign. Make sure everyone in the home knows where the valve is located.

75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. (This likely applies to half of the world’s population)

In 37% of Americans, the thirst mechanism is so weak that it is often mistaken for hunger.

Even MILD dehydration will slow down one’s metabolism as much as 3%.

One glass of water shuts down midnight hunger pangs for almost 100% of the dieters investigated in a University of Washington study.

Lack of water is the #1 trigger of daytime fatigue.

Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water a day could significantly ease back and joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers.

A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on the computer screen or on a printed page.

Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45% plus it can slash the risk of breast cancer by 79% and one is 50% less likely to develop bladder cancer.

Question: Are you drinking the amount of water you should every day?