Is Pittsburgh North, PA Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Yes, Pittsburgh North tap water is safe to drink. Hardness is low at 90 PPM, and no contaminants exceed health guidelines. Most homes here don't need treatment.
Hardness Scale: Where Pittsburgh North Falls
0Slightly
60Moderate
120Hard
180Very Hard
250Extreme
400+
How Pittsburgh North Compares
Pittsburgh North's water is 35% softer than the national average of 138 PPM - ranking in the bottom 59% for hardness nationwide. Most homes here do not need a softener. Within Pennsylvania, it ranks #19 of 31 cities (7% below the state average of 97 PPM). Among major US cities (500k+), Pittsburgh North ranks #67 of 100 for hardness.
What Pittsburgh North's Water Means for Your Home
Hardness: 90 PPM - Low Concern
Pittsburgh North's water is moderately hard at 90 PPM. You'll see some spotting on glassware and a film on shower doors over time, but it's not the kind of hardness that demands a full softener. A salt-free conditioner is worth considering if you have a tankless water heater or high-end fixtures.
Contaminants & Safety
Disinfection byproducts are the notable finding here. Pittsburgh North's water has TTHMs at 52.3 ppb and HAA5 at 20.6 ppb — both within legal limits, but the EWG health guidelines are far stricter. These byproducts form when chlorine reacts with organic matter during treatment. A whole-house activated carbon filter reduces both chlorine and its byproducts. Want the full picture? Request your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report.
What's in the Treatment Process
Pittsburgh North's surface water supply requires heavy chlorination to stay safe — but that creates a tradeoff. The treatment process generates disinfection byproducts: TTHMs at 52.3 ppb (65% of the legal limit, but 349x the EWG guideline) and HAA5 at 20.6 ppb (34% of the legal limit, but 206x the EWG guideline). These are within legal limits, but the EWG sets much tighter thresholds based on cancer-risk research. A whole-house activated carbon filter reduces both chlorine and byproducts.
Chromium-6 was detected at 0.535 ppb, which is 27x the EWG health guideline. There's no separate federal limit for chromium-6, only total chromium. A reverse osmosis system is the most effective removal method. All measurements are within federal legal limits. The EWG guidelines represent a more conservative, health-based standard.
| Contaminant | Detected | Health Guideline | Legal Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness (as CaCO₃) | 90 PPM | < 60 PPM | No federal limit | ✓ OK |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 155 PPM | < 300 PPM | 500 PPM | ✓ OK |
| PFAS (total) | 0 ppt | — | No total limit | ✓ ND |
| ↳ PFOA | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| ↳ PFOS | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| Lead | 3.6 ppb | 0 ppb (no safe level) | 15 ppb (10 ppb in 2027) | ✓ Low |
| Chlorine / Chloramine | 1.3 mg/L | Taste threshold ~1.0 | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ Normal |
| Nitrate | 0.516 mg/L | 5 mg/L | 10 mg/L | ✓ OK |
Recommendations for Pittsburgh North Homes
Quick Fix for Chlorine: Shower Filter
At 1.3 mg/L chlorine, many Pittsburgh North residents notice dry skin, brittle hair, and that "pool smell" in the shower. A shower filter installs in 5 minutes, no tools needed.
How to Test Your Water in Pittsburgh North
City-wide data is a solid starting point, but your specific tap might differ based on plumbing age, distance from the treatment plant, or seasonal changes.
Free option: Request Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority's annual Consumer Confidence Report for official city-level data.
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About Pittsburgh North's Water Supply
Water Utility: Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority
Water Source: Allegheny River (Surface Water)
Population Served: 520,000
Hardness: 90 PPM (5.3 grains per gallon)
Pittsburgh North's drinking water comes from surface sources — Allegheny River. Surface water requires more extensive treatment than groundwater, including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection. This heavier chlorination is why disinfection byproducts tend to be higher in surface-supplied systems. On the upside, surface sources often deliver softer water than deep aquifers. The system serves 520,000 residents.
Water quality can vary by neighborhood and season. For your exact numbers, request Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) or test your own tap.
ZIP Codes Covered by This Report
This water quality data applies to all areas served by Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority in Pittsburgh North, PA, including ZIP codes:
15006, 15007, 15015, 15032, 15044, 15086, 15090, 15091, 15095, 15096, 15101, 15127, 15136, 16046, 16059, 16066
If your ZIP code is listed above, this report covers your water supply. Water quality may vary slightly by neighborhood.
Compare Pittsburgh North to Other Pennsylvania Cities
Frequently Asked Questions About Pittsburgh North Water
Is Pittsburgh North tap water safe to drink?
Where does Pittsburgh North's water come from?
Do I need a water softener in Pittsburgh North?
What is the hardness of Pittsburgh North water in grains per gallon?
What are disinfection byproducts in Pittsburgh North's water?
Is chromium-6 in Pittsburgh North's water?
Why does Pittsburgh North water taste like chlorine?
Can I drink Pittsburgh North tap water straight from the faucet?
Data sources: Lead and copper data from EPA Safe Drinking Water Act LCR reporting. Contaminant data from utility-reported testing results. PFAS data from EPA UCMR5 (2023–2025). Hardness from USGS and municipal reports. Data reflects system-level testing results and may not match your specific tap due to neighborhood plumbing, season, or recent utility changes. For your utility's latest results, request their Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). Our methodology. Last updated: 2026-02-24.
What Pittsburgh North Homeowners Actually Buy
Common purchases for homes with 90 PPM water.
Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission. Selection based on Pittsburgh North's water data.