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Podcast: waterloop
Episode: Pittsburgh’s Playbook for Replacing All Lead Pipes
Description: Pittsburgh is writing a playbook on lead pipe replacement, aiming to eliminate all toxic lines by 2027.In this episode, Will Pickering, CEO of Pittsburgh Water, and Michelle Naccarati-Chapkis of Women for a Healthy Environment reveal the strategy behind this national model.With over $200 million in federal grants and low-interest loans, the city has replaced 13,000 lead service lines at no cost to residents. Digitized records and GIS mapping pinpoint pipes for efficient, low-disruption replacements using copper threading.Community trust, rebuilt through transparent outreach and an advisory committee, drives participation. Naccarati-Chapkis ’s workshops target vulnerable ne...