DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION

SOUTHWEST REGIONAL OFFICE
February 18, 2016
CERTIFIED MAIL NO. 7015 0640 0007 9700 5021
NOTICE OF VIOLATION

James L. Good, Executive Director
Penn Liberty Plaza 1

1200 Penn Avenue.

Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Re: Violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act and Regulations
- - PWS ID No.5020038? .
Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority
Allegheny County

Dear Mr. Good:

On July 26, 1995, the Department of Environmental Protection (?Department?) approved

a feasibility study conducted by the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) for
corrosion control. In response to the ?ndings of this study, the Department issued

Permit requiring corrosion control treatment through pH adjustment with
soda ash and establishing associated water quality parameters.

The Department has determined that Pittsburgh Water Sewer Authority did not provide corrosion
control treatment in accordance with Permit by eliminating soda ash addition
to water provided for human consumption, during 2014 through January 21, 2016.

Section 7(a) of the Safe Drinking Water Act 35 RS. 721.7(a) provides, ?it shall be unlawful for
any person to construct, operate or substantially modify a community water system without ?rst
having received a written permit from the Department?. Eliminating or otherwise, altering
corrosion control treatment as authorized by a Public Water Supply permit conStitutes a
substantial modi?cation of a water system, thus placing PWSA in violation of 35 RS. 721.7(a)
and 25 Pa. Code 

As an initial step to regain compliance, the Department requests a written response within 30
days of the date of this letter that explains actions and related circumstances that
resulted in this Violation and proposed corrective actions with regard to this violation.
Include with your response, copies of all lead and copper sample results that PWSA may have
collected during 2014 and 2015 and copies of any noti?cations provided to PWSA customers
regarding the removal of optimized corrosion control treatment.

400 Waterfront Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15222-4745
412.442.4000 FAX 412.442.4242 

 

Removal of optimized corrosion control treatment may have had a destabilizing effect on the
protective calcium carbonate barrier lining the interior pipe walls Within distribution
system. In order to assess the extent of destabilization, lead and copper monitoring
requirements will be reset from ?reduced monitoring to ?initial monitoring?. ?rst round
of initial lead and copper tap monitoring should be collected before June 30, 2016.

Before conducting initial sampling, PWSA should review and update its Lead and Copper
monitoring plan to assure it meets the required elements speci?ed under 25 Pa. Code


Please submit your response to the address listed at the bottom of this letter. Please contact me
with any other questions or concerns at 412?442-4214 or mafrederic@pa.gov.

Smelt?. 
    

5? 

Kay Frederick
Operations Section Chief

Safe Drinking Water Program -SWRO

 

Removal of optimized corrosion control treatment may have had a destabilizing effect on the
protective calcium carbonate barrier lining the interior pipe walls within distribution
system. In order to assess the extent of destabilization, lead and copper monitoring
requirements will be reset from ?reduced monitoring to ?initial monitoring?. ?rst round
of initial lead and copper tap monitoring should be collected before June 30, 2016.

Before conducting initial sampling, PWSA should review and update its Lead and Copper
monitoring plan to assure it meets the required elements speci?ed under 25 Pa. Code


Please submit your response to the address listed at the bottom of this letter. Please contact me
with any other questions or concerns at 412-442-4214 or mafrederic@pa.gov.

  

Sincerely, .  

Kay Frederick
Operations Section Chief

Safe Drinking Water Program 

bcc: Region
Geoffrey Butia, Allegheny County Health Department
John effries, Allegheny County Health Department
A. Eichler, SDW Program Manager