Editing Pittsburgh (section)

==Geography==
{{see also|Pittsburgh metropolitan area#Regional identity}}
[[File:Duquesne Incline, Pittsburgh PA (8899995839).jpg|thumb|The [[Duquesne Incline]] from [[Mount Washington, Pittsburgh (mountain)|Mount Washington]]]]
Pittsburgh has an area of {{convert|58.3|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|55.6|sqmi|km2}} is land and {{convert|2.8|sqmi|km2}}, or 4.75%, is water. The [[80th meridian west]] passes directly through the city's downtown.

The city is located on the [[Allegheny Plateau]], within the [[ecoregion]] of the [[Western Allegheny Plateau (ecoregion)|Western Allegheny Plateau]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Level III Ecoregions of Pennsylvania |url=http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/cropmap/pennsylvania/maps/PAeco3.html |publisher=U.S. Environmental Protection Agency |access-date=September 29, 2013 |archive-date=February 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203041049/https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/cropmap/pennsylvania/maps/PAeco3.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The [[Downtown Pittsburgh|Downtown]] area (also known as the Golden Triangle) sits where the [[Allegheny River]] flows from the northeast and the [[Monongahela River]] from the southeast to form the [[Ohio River]]. The convergence is at [[Point State Park]] and is referred to as "the Point." The city extends east to include the [[Oakland (Pittsburgh)|Oakland]] and [[Shadyside (Pittsburgh)|Shadyside]] sections, which are home to the [[University of Pittsburgh]], [[Carnegie Mellon University]], [[Chatham University]], [[Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh|Carnegie Museum]] and [[Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh|Library]], and many other educational, medical, and cultural institutions. The southern, western, and northern areas of the city are primarily residential.

Many [[list of Pittsburgh neighborhoods|Pittsburgh neighborhoods]] are steeply sloped with two-lane roads. More than a quarter of neighborhood names make reference to "hills," "heights," or similar features.{{efn|The neighborhoods are [[Arlington Heights (Pittsburgh)|Arlington Heights]], [[Bluff (Pittsburgh)|Bluff]], [[Brighton Heights (Pittsburgh)|Brighton Heights]], [[Crafton Heights (Pittsburgh)|Crafton Heights]], [[Duquesne Heights (Pittsburgh)|Duquesne Heights]], [[East Hills (Pittsburgh)|East Hills]], [[Fineview (Pittsburgh)|Fineview]], [[Highland Park (Pittsburgh neighborhood)|Highland Park]], [[Middle Hill (Pittsburgh)|Middle Hill]], [[Mount Oliver (Pittsburgh)|Mount Oliver]], [[Mount Washington, Pittsburgh (neighborhood)|Mount Washington]], [[Northview Heights (Pittsburgh)|Northview Heights]], [[Perry North (Pittsburgh)|Perry North]] (also known as Observatory Hill), [[Perry South (Pittsburgh)|Perry South]] (also known as Perry Hilltop), [[Polish Hill (Pittsburgh)|Polish Hill]], [[Ridgemont (Pittsburgh)|Ridgemont]], [[South Side Slopes (Pittsburgh)|South Side Slopes]], [[Spring Hill–City View (Pittsburgh)|Spring Hill-City View]], [[Squirrel Hill (Pittsburgh)|Squirrel Hill]], [[Stanton Heights (Pittsburgh)|Stanton Heights]], [[Summer Hill (Pittsburgh)|Summer Hill]], [[Troy Hill (Pittsburgh)|Troy Hill]], and [[Upper Hill (Pittsburgh)|Upper Hill]].}}

The [[steps of Pittsburgh]] consist of 800 sets of outdoor public stairways with 44,645 treads and 24,090 vertical feet. They include hundreds of streets composed entirely of stairs, and many other steep streets with stairs for sidewalks.<ref>{{cite news |work=[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]] |title=Learning the steps: Pitt researcher fell for city's stairs and has published a book that maps them |url=https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/books/2004/03/16/Learning-the-steps-Pitt-researcher-fell-for-city-s-stairs-and-has-published-a-book-that-maps-them/stories/200403160099|access-date=December 4, 2021 |date=March 16, 2004 |first=Patricia |last=Lowry}}</ref> Many provide vistas of the Pittsburgh area while attracting hikers and fitness walkers.<ref>Bob Regan, ''Pittsburgh Steps, The Story of the City's Public Stairways'', Globe Pequot, {{ISBN|978-1-4930-1384-5}}</ref>

Bike and walking trails have been built to border many of the city's rivers and hollows. The [[Great Allegheny Passage]] and [[Chesapeake and Ohio Canal]] Towpath connect the city directly to downtown Washington, D.C. (some {{convert|335|mi|km|disp=sqbr}} away) with a continuous bike/running trail.

===Cityscape===
{{Main|Downtown Pittsburgh|North Side (Pittsburgh)|South Side (Pittsburgh)|West End (Pittsburgh)}}
{{See also|List of Pittsburgh neighborhoods|List of tallest buildings in Pittsburgh|List of City of Pittsburgh historic designations|List of Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation Historic Landmarks}}
[[File:Pittsburgh Pennsylvania neighborhoods fade.svg|thumb|Pittsburgh's [[List of Pittsburgh neighborhoods|90 distinct neighborhoods]]]]
[[File:EastCarsonStreetHistoricDistrict.jpg|thumb|East Carson Street in the [[South Side Flats]]]]
[[File:Street in Shadyside Pittsburgh PA.jpg|thumb|[[Shadyside (Pittsburgh)|Shadyside]] neighborhood]]

The city consists of the Downtown area, called the Golden Triangle,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.emporis.com/borough/goldentriangle-pittsburgh |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104015251/http://www.emporis.com/borough/goldentriangle-pittsburgh |url-status=usurped |archive-date=November 4, 2012 |title=Golden Triangle (Pittsburgh) |publisher=Emporis.com |access-date=April 11, 2009}}</ref> and four main areas surrounding it—Central, North Side/North Hills, South Side/South Hills, East End, and West End. These areas are further divided into 90 neighborhoods.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/portal/neighborhoods.html |access-date=July 17, 2007 |title=Pittsburgh Neighborhoods |work=City of Pittsburgh Portal |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070629162237/http://www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/portal/neighborhoods.html |archive-date=June 29, 2007}}</ref>

[[Downtown Pittsburgh]] has 30 skyscrapers, nine over {{convert|500|ft|m}}, with the [[U.S. Steel Tower]] being the tallest at {{convert|841|ft|m|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.emporis.com/building/us-steel-tower-pittsburgh-pa-usa |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401112817/http://www.emporis.com/building/us-steel-tower-pittsburgh-pa-usa |url-status=usurped |archive-date=April 1, 2012 |title=U.S. Steel Tower, Pittsburgh |work=Emporis Buildings |access-date=July 17, 2007}}</ref> The [[Cultural District, Pittsburgh|Cultural District]] spans 14 blocks along the Allegheny River and is home to theaters, arts venues, and a growing residential community. The [[Firstside Historic District|Firstside]] portion of Downtown borders the Monongahela River, the historic Mon Wharf and hosts the distinctive [[PPG Place]] Gothic-style glass skyscraper complex. Downtown is served by the [[Port Authority of Allegheny County|Port Authority]]'s [[Pittsburgh light rail|light rail system]] and [[Bridges of Pittsburgh|multiple bridges]] leading north and south.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.portauthority.org/paac/SchedulesMaps/Maps.aspx |title=Port Authority Map of Pittsburgh, PA |publisher=Pittsburgh Port Authority|access-date=February 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150221230627/http://www.portauthority.org/paac/SchedulesMaps/Maps.aspx|archive-date=February 21, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> It is also home to [[Point Park University]] and [[Duquesne University]] which borders [[Bluff (Pittsburgh)|Uptown]].

The [[North Side (Pittsburgh)|North Side]], originally the independent [[Allegheny, Pennsylvania|Allegheny City]] until being annexed in 1907, is a primarily residential area with well-preserved 19th-century homes. It hosts attractions like [[Acrisure Stadium]], [[PNC Park]], the [[Andy Warhol Museum]], and the [[National Aviary]], among others.<ref>Allegheny City: A History of Pittsburgh's North Side by Dan Rooney and Carol Peterson</ref>

The [[South Side (Pittsburgh)|South Side]], once home to railyards and mill workers, has seen revitalization with improvements to East Carson Street and new retail. It is now a vibrant neighborhood with diverse shopping and nightlife.<ref>{{cite news |last=O'Neill |first=Brian |title=Rising home prices tell Pittsburgh's uplifting story |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |date=January 8, 2014 |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/brian-oneill/2014/01/09/Rising-home-prices-tell-Pittsburgh-s-uplifting-story/stories/201401090182}}</ref> In the 1990s, the [[Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh]] purchased the South Side Works steel mill property and redeveloped it into the [[SouthSide Works]] mixed-use development.

The East End includes key institutions including the [[University of Pittsburgh]], [[Carnegie Mellon University]], [[Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh|Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History]], and [[Phipps Conservatory]]. It features many parks, including [[Mellon Park]], [[Westinghouse Park]], [[Schenley Park]], [[Frick Park]], [[The Frick Pittsburgh]], [[Bakery Square]], and the [[Pittsburgh Zoo]], and vibrant neighborhoods like [[Shadyside (Pittsburgh)|Shadyside]]. [[Squirrel Hill (Pittsburgh)|Squirrel Hill]] is also known as the hub of Jewish life in Pittsburgh, home to approximately 20 synagogues.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pittsburgh Strong: Historic Tribute to a Vibrant Jewish Community |date=October 29, 2018 |url=https://www.bh.org.il/blog-items/pittsburgh-strong-historic-tribute-to-a-vibrant-jewish-community/}}</ref> Oakland is home to several universities and the [[Petersen Events Center]]. The [[Strip District, Pittsburgh|Strip District]] to the west along the [[Allegheny River]] is an open-air marketplace by day and a clubbing destination by night. [[Bloomfield (Pittsburgh)|Bloomfield]] is Pittsburgh's Little Italy and is known for its Italian restaurants and grocers. [[Lawrenceville (Pittsburgh)|Lawrenceville]] is a revitalizing rowhouse neighborhood popular with artists and designers. The [[Hill District (Pittsburgh)|Hill District]] was home to photographer [[Charles Harris (photographer)|Charles Harris]] as well as various African-American jazz clubs.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wesa.fm/post/smoketown-traces-rise-and-fall-other-great-black-renaissance-pittsburgh |title='Smoketown' Traces The Rise And Fall Of The Other Great Black Renaissance In Pittsburgh |last=Young |first=Virginia Alvino |website=www.wesa.fm |date=February 9, 2018 |language=en|access-date=February 3, 2020}}</ref>

The [[West End (Pittsburgh)|West End]] includes [[Mount Washington, Pittsburgh (neighborhood)|Mt. Washington]], with its famous view of the downtown skyline, and numerous other residential neighborhoods such as [[Sheraden (Pittsburgh)|Sheraden]] and [[Elliott (Pittsburgh)|Elliott]].
[[File:Pittsburgh skyline panorama at night.jpg|alt=Panorama of Pittsburgh, PA|center|thumb|750x750px|Pittsburgh seen from [[Mount Washington, Pittsburgh (mountain)|Mount Washington]] at night with the [[Monongahela River]] in the foreground in November 2015]]

===Regional identity===
{{Main|Pittsburgh metropolitan area}}
[[File:Muralof300SixthStreetBuilding.jpg|thumb|alt=The Puddler, a glass mural of an iron or steel worker in downtown Pittsburgh|''The Puddler'', a glass mural of an iron or steel worker,<ref>{{cite book|last=Toker|first=Franklin|title=Pittsburgh: A New Portrait|chapter=Chapter 2: Downtown: A Golden Triangle|chapter-url=https://upittpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/9780822943716exr.pdf|year=2009|publisher=University of Pittsburgh Press|page=77|isbn=978-0-8229-4371-6}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Pittsburgh Art in Public Places: Downtown Walking Tour|edition=Fourth|year=2016|location=Pittsburgh|publisher=Office of Public Art|page=88|url=https://opapgh.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/OPA_ArtinPublicPlaces_RetailFirstside.pdf|access-date=August 20, 2023}}</ref> memorializing Pittsburgh's [[industrial heritage]]]]
Pittsburgh falls within the borders of the Northeastern United States as defined by multiple US Government agencies. Pittsburgh is the principal city of the [[Pittsburgh-New Castle-Weirton, PA-OH-WV Combined Statistical Area|Pittsburgh Combined Statistical Area]], a [[combined statistical area]] defined by the [[U.S. Census Bureau]].

Pittsburgh falls within the borders of [[Appalachia]] as defined by the [[Appalachian Regional Commission]], and has long been characterized as the "northern urban industrial anchor of Appalachia."<ref>{{cite book |last1=Scarpaci |first1=Joseph L. |last2=Patrick |first2=Kevin Joseph |title=Pittsburgh and the Appalachians: cultural and natural resources in a postindustrial age |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9qTdSl2CkzkC|access-date=February 3, 2011 |date=June 28, 2006 |publisher=University of Pittsburgh Pre |isbn=978-0-8229-4282-5}}</ref> In its post-industrial state, Pittsburgh has been characterized as the "Paris of Appalachia",<ref>{{cite book |last=O'Neill |first=Brian |title=The Paris of Appalachia: Pittsburgh in the Twenty-first Century |year=2009 |publisher=[[Carnegie Mellon University Press]] |isbn=978-0-88748-509-1 |url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6868002-the-paris-of-appalachia |access-date=May 17, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_429269.html |title=Steel city an unlikely haven for writers |last=Behe |first=Regis |date=March 3, 2006 |work=[[Pittsburgh Tribune-Review]]|access-date=February 7, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061211072316/http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_429269.html|archive-date=December 11, 2006 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/12/02/the-11-best-cities-for-telecommuters/ |title=America's 11 Best Cities for Telecommuters |last=Watson |first=Bruce |date=December 2, 2010 |work=DailyFinance|access-date=February 7, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325084344/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/12/02/the-11-best-cities-for-telecommuters/|archive-date=March 25, 2012|url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/in-the-paris-of-the-appalachians-theyre-not-buying-trumps-climate-talk/2017/06/06/6f3ddd8a-49f9-11e7-bc1b-fddbd8359dee_story.html |title=In Pittsburgh, the 'Paris of the Appalachians,' they're not buying Trump's climate talk |last=Frankel |first=Todd |date=June 6, 2017 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=May 18, 2019}}</ref> recognizing the city's cultural, educational, healthcare, and technological resources, and is the largest city in Appalachia.

===Climate===
{{climate chart
| Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| 21.1|35.7|2.60
| 23.0|39.3|2.39
| 30.0|49.2|2.95
| 40.2|61.7|3.11
| 49.3|70.8|3.95
| 58.4|79.1|4.30
| 62.8|82.5|3.83
| 61.5|81.4|3.48
| 54.0|74.3|3.11
| 42.9|62.6|2.29
| 34.7|51.2|3.23
| 25.3|39.4|2.85
| float=left
| clear=both
| units=imperial
}}
Under the [[Köppen climate classification]], Pittsburgh falls within either a [[hot-summer humid continental climate]] (''Dfa'') if the {{convert|0|°C}} isotherm is used or a [[humid subtropical climate]] (''Cfa'') if the {{convert|-3|°C}} isotherm is used. Summers are hot and winters are moderately cold with wide variations in temperature. Despite this, it has one of the most pleasant summer climates between medium and large cities in the U.S.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Peel |first1=M. C. |last2=Finlayson |first2=B. L. |last3=McMahon |first3=T. A. |name-list-style=amp |year=2007 |title=Updated world map of the Köppen-Geiger climate classification |journal=Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. |volume=11 |issue=5 |pages=1633–1644 |url=http://www.hydrol-earth-syst-sci.net/11/1633/2007/hess-11-1633-2007.html |issn=1027-5606 |doi=10.5194/hess-11-1633-2007 |bibcode=2007HESS...11.1633P | doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.westword.com/news/photos-ten-most-chill-major-cities-in-the-summertime-and-where-denver-places-5831262 |title=Photos: Ten most chill major cities in the summertime – and where Denver places |last=Roberts |first=Michael |date=July 31, 2013 |website=Westword|access-date=March 24, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Roehr |first1=Daniel |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kQvwBgAAQBAJ&q=Pittsburgh+HOT-SUMMER+KOPPEN+DFA&pg=PA78 |title=Living Roofs in Integrated Urban Water Systems |last2=Fassman-Beck |first2=Elizabeth |date=March 5, 2015 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-317-53703-8}}</ref> The city lies in the USDA plant hardiness zone 6b except along the rivers where the zone is 7a.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/|title=2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map|website=planthardiness.ars.usda.gov}}</ref> The area has four distinct seasons: winters are cold and snowy, springs and falls are mild with moderate levels of sunshine, and summers are warm. As measured by percent possible sunshine, summer is by far the sunniest season, though annual sunshine is low among major US cities at well under 50%.<ref name = NOAAsun/>

The warmest month of the year in Pittsburgh is July, with a 24-hour average of {{convert|73.2|°F|1}}. Conditions are often humid, and combined with highs reaching {{convert|90|°F}} on an average 9.5 days a year,<ref name= NOAA /> a considerable [[heat index]] arises. The coolest month is January, when the 24-hour average is {{convert|28.8|°F|1}}, and lows of {{convert|0|°F|0}} or below can be expected on an average 2.6 nights per year.<ref name = NOAA /> Officially, record temperatures range from {{convert|-22|°F}}, on [[1994 North American cold wave|January 19, 1994]] to {{convert|103|°F}}, which occurred three times, most recently on July 16, 1988; the record cold daily maximum is {{convert|-3|°F|0}}, which occurred three times, most recently the day of the all-time record low, while, conversely, the record warm daily minimum is {{convert|82|°F|0}} on July 1, 1901.<ref name = NOAA/>{{efn|The warmest daily minimum at the current observation location, Pittsburgh Int'l, is only {{convert|77|°F|0}} on July 23, 2010, and July 16, 1980.<ref name = NOAA/>}} Due to elevation and location on the windward side of the Appalachian Mountains, {{convert|100|°F|0}}+ readings are very rare, and were last seen on July 15, 1995.<ref name = NOAA/>

Average annual precipitation is {{convert|39.61|in|mm}} and precipitation is greatest in May while least in October; annual precipitation has historically ranged from {{convert|22.65|in|mm|abbr=on}} in 1930 to {{convert|57.83|in|mm|abbr=on}} in 2018.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pittsburgh Precipitation Records |url=https://www.weather.gov/media/pbz/records/prec.pdf|access-date=May 15, 2020}}</ref> On average, December and January have the greatest number of precipitation days. Snowfall averages {{convert|44.1|in|cm}} per season, but has historically ranged from {{convert|8.8|in|cm|abbr=on}} in 1918–19 to {{convert|80|in|cm|abbr=on}} in 1950–51.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pittsburgh Historical Snowfall Totals 1883 to Current |url=http://www.erh.noaa.gov/pbz/thissnow.htm |publisher=NWS Pittsburgh, PA|access-date=June 20, 2014}}</ref> There is an average of 59 clear days and 103 partly cloudy days per year, while 203 days are cloudy.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/online/ccd/cldy.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030223015937/http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/online/ccd/cldy.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 23, 2003 |title=Cloudiness – Mean Number of Days |date=August 20, 2008 |publisher=[[National Climatic Data Center]] |access-date=May 15, 2011}}</ref> In terms of annual percent-average possible sunshine received, Pittsburgh (45%) is similar to [[Seattle]] (49%).
{{Clear}}

{{Pittsburgh weatherbox}}

====Air quality====
[[United States Environmental Protection Agency]] (EPA) data from 2021 to 2024 shows that Pittsburgh's air quality was generally good or moderate.<ref>{{Cite web |last=US EPA |first=OAR |date=September 23, 2016 |title=Air Data - Multiyear Tile Plot |url=https://www.epa.gov/outdoor-air-quality-data/air-data-multiyear-tile-plot |access-date=February 7, 2024 |website=www.epa.gov |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=EPA: Air Quality Trends By City 2000-2022 |url=https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2023-05/airqualitytrendsbycity2000-2022.xlsx |website=EPA}}</ref>

Despite improvements, studies suggest Pittsburgh's air quality still impacts health. A 2014 to 2016 study found that children near pollution sources like industrial sites had asthma rates nearly three times the national average.<ref name="Frazier-2020">{{Cite web |last=Frazier |first=Reid |date=November 11, 2020 |title=Study: Pittsburgh kids near polluting sites have higher asthma rates |url=https://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2020/11/11/study-pittsburgh-kids-near-polluting-sites-have-higher-asthma-rates/ |access-date=December 16, 2023 |website=StateImpact Pennsylvania |language=en}}</ref> It also revealed that 38% of students lived in areas exceeding EPA's particle pollution standards, and 70% in areas surpassing the WHO's standards.<ref name="Frazier-2020" /> Most affected communities were minority populations, leading some residents to believe that the continuing effects of air pollution are a case of environmental racism.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hurdle |first=Jon |title=For Low-Income Pittsburgh, Clean Air Remains an Elusive Goal |url=https://e360.yale.edu/features/for-low-income-pittsburgh-clean-air-remains-an-elusive-goal |access-date=December 16, 2023 |website=Yale E360 |language=en-US}}</ref>

As of 2005, Pittsburgh had 31,000 trees along 900 miles of streets. A 2011 analysis valued the annual benefits of the city's [[urban forest]] between $10 and $13 million, based on contributions to aesthetics, energy use, and air quality. The city invests $850,000 annually in tree planting and maintenance.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nextcity.org/daily/entry/that-tree-on-the-corner-may-be-worth-more-than-your-house |title=Tree on the Corner May Be Worth More Than Your House |last=Seltenrich |first=Nate |date=February 18, 2013 |website=[[Next City]] |access-date=May 18, 2019}}</ref>

====Water quality====
Local rivers in Pittsburgh continue to exceed EPA pollution limits, primarily due to [[Allegheny County Sanitary Authority#Pittsburgh's sewer overflow problem|frequently overflowing untreated sewage]] from the city's outdated infrastructure.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.alleghenyfront.org/new-report-finds-industrial-pollution-flowing-illegally-into-pa-rivers/ |title=New Report Finds Industrial Pollution Flowing Illegally into PA Rivers |last=Lancianese |first=Adelina |date=March 28, 2018 |website=[[WESA (FM)]] |access-date=May 19, 2019}}</ref> Pittsburgh's combined sewer system, built in the early 1900s, carries both stormwater and wastewater, with the treatment plant constructed in 1959.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.3riverswetweather.org/about-wet-weather-issue/understanding-sewer-collection-system/history |title=Understanding Sewer Collection System |website=3 Rivers Wet Weather |access-date=May 19, 2019}}</ref> Insufficient upgrades have led to public health concerns, as even a tenth of an inch of rain causes runoff to flow into rivers.<ref>{{cite web |last=Smeltz |first=Adam |url=https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2018/01/22/Pittsburgh-Mayor-Bill-Peduto-executive-order-pushes-forward-PWSA-restructuring-water-board/stories/201801220112 |title=Peduto forges ahead to restructure PWSA leadership |work=[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]] |date=January 22, 2017 |access-date=April 24, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=About the Wet Weather Issue |access-date=April 16, 2018 |url=http://www.3riverswetweather.org/about-wet-weather-issue |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190202212622/http://www.3riverswetweather.org/about-wet-weather-issue |archive-date=February 2, 2019 |website=3riverswetweather.org}}</ref> Nine billion gallons of untreated waste and stormwater flow into rivers per year, leading to health hazards and Clean Water Act violations.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.publicsource.org/will-green-or-gray-infrastructure-solve-the-problem-of-raw-sewage-running-into-the-pittsburgh-regions-rivers/ |title=Raw sewage flows into Pittsburgh's rivers. Is there an environmentally friendly fix that won't break the bank? |date=December 6, 2017 |website=PublicSource |access-date=April 24, 2018}}</ref> The [[Allegheny County Sanitary Authority]] (ALCOSAN) is under a Consent Decree from the EPA and proposed a $2 billion system upgrade in 2017, approved by the EPA in 2019.<ref>{{cite web |last=Krauss |first=M. J. |date=January 30, 2018 |url=http://wesa.fm/post/alcosan-more-doubling-wastewater-treatment-plant-diminish-sewage-overlows#stream/0 |title=ALCOSAN More Than Doubling Wastewater Treatment Plant To Diminish Sewage Overflows |access-date=April 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926131554/http://www.wesa.fm/post/alcosan-more-doubling-wastewater-treatment-plant-diminish-sewage-overlows#stream/0 |archive-date=September 26, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Hopey |first=Don |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2017/06/07/alcosan-pittsburgh-epa-sewage-control-plan-stormwater-pa/stories/201706060181 |title=EPA, Alcosan near agreement on sewage-control plan |work=[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]] |date=June 7, 2017 |access-date=April 16, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Clean Water Plan: Plan Documents |url=https://www.alcosan.org/clean-water-plan/plan-documents |website=Alcosan |access-date=8 July 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

The [[Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority]] (PWSA), responsible for replacing pipes and setting water rates, has faced criticism for alleged mismanagement and for high lead levels in the city's drinking water, particularly in 2016.<ref name=puc>{{cite web |last=Lindstrom |first=Natasha |date=January 18, 2018 |title=Gov. Wolf to sign bill placing Pittsburgh's water system under PUC oversight |access-date=April 16, 2018 |url=http://triblive.com/local/allegheny/12976229-74/gov-wolf-to-ok-bill-placing-pittsburghs-water-system-under-puc-oversight |work=triblive.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Smeltz |first=Adam |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2017/02/03/Peduto-administration-plans-advisory-team-to-assess-PWSA-Pittsburgh/stories/201702030228 |title=City to turn to advisory panel to study water, sewer issues |work=[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]] |date=February 3, 2017 |access-date=April 16, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Morrison |first=Oliver |date=October 18, 2021 |title=The untold story of Pittsburgh's water crisis and a future of $300 water bills |url=http://www.publicsource.org/pwsa-pittsburgh-crisis-turnaround-infrastructure-spending-rates-water-bills/ |access-date=December 16, 2023 |website=PublicSource |language=en-US}}</ref> While lead levels have risen for years, many residents blame PWSA's administrative changes for the spike.<ref name="Morrison-2021">{{Cite web |last=Morrison |first=Oliver |date=October 19, 2021 |title=The main cause of Pittsburgh's lead crisis wasn't corporate management |url=http://www.publicsource.org/pwsa-pittsburgh-lead-water-corrosion-soda-ash-caustic-soda-orthophosphate/ |access-date=December 16, 2023 |website=PublicSource |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Lurie |first=Julia |title=Pittsburgh's Drinking Water Was Clean Until This Company Came Along |language=en-US |magazine=Wired |url=https://www.wired.com/2016/10/pittsburghs-drinking-water-got-contaminated-lead/ |access-date=December 16, 2023 |issn=1059-1028}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Glenza |first=Jessica |date=July 25, 2017 |title=Pittsburgh officials may have 'deflected' attention from lead-contaminated water |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/25/pittsburgh-lead-drinking-water-flint-epa |access-date=December 16, 2023 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> In response, PWSA began adding orthophosphate to the water.<ref name="www.pgh2o.com-2023">{{Cite web |date=January 24, 2023 |title=PWSA Continues to Provide Protection for Those with Lead Service Lines |url=https://www.pgh2o.com/news-events/news/press-release/2023-01-24-pwsa-continues-provide-protection-those-lead-service |access-date=December 16, 2023 |website=www.pgh2o.com |language=en}}</ref> PWSA has also been working to replace lead pipes, and continuing to test water for lead.<ref name="www.pgh2o.com-2023" />

There remains concern among residents over the long-term effects of this lead, particularly for children.<ref name="Marusic">{{Cite web |last=Marusic |first=Kristina |title=Lead detected in 80% of Allegheny County, Pa., water systems: Report - EHN |url=https://www.ehn.org/pennsylvania-lead-in-water-2652678227.html |access-date=December 16, 2023 |website=www.ehn.org |language=en}}</ref> Some people also believe that the high levels of lead reflect environmental racism, as black and Hispanic children in Pittsburgh experience elevated blood-lead levels at 4 times the rate of white children.<ref name="Marusic" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Center |first=Thomas Merton |date=February 9, 2017 |title=The Racist, Classist Origins of Pittsburgh's Water Crisis |url=https://newpeoplenewspaper.com/2017/02/09/the-racist-classist-origins-of-pittsburghs-water-crisis/ |access-date=December 16, 2023 |language=en}}</ref>