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Pittsburgh Waterways Test High for E. coli
13 Aug
Summary
- Nearly 90% of Saw Mill Run samples showed unsafe E. coli levels.
- 55% of monitored state locations had unsafe E. coli in 2025.
- ALCOSAN plans a decade-long, multibillion-dollar clean water initiative.
Waterways across the Pittsburgh area are posing health risks this summer due to elevated E. coli levels. Environmental groups have reported unsafe bacteria counts in several local streams, including Saw Mill Run, where nearly 90% of tested samples contained E. coli. Streets Run also showed elevated levels.
These high bacteria counts are largely attributed to aging infrastructure that leads to sewage overflows into local waterways. PennEnvironment research indicates that 55% of monitored locations statewide registered unsafe E. coli levels for at least one day in 2025.
Organizations like Three Rivers Waterkeeper actively test regional water bodies. They recently collaborated with ALCOSAN to address an E. coli issue in Pine Creek, resulting in immediate crew action to stop the contamination flow.
ALCOSAN is currently engaged in a significant, multibillion-dollar initiative aimed at reducing sewage discharge into waterways. This extensive clean water plan is projected to take approximately another decade to fully implement.
