Series Archives

As in Flint, Cost-Cutting May Be to Blame for Pittsburgh’s High Lead Levels

Reid Frazier·March 24, 2017

The decision to switch to a cheaper, less-effective treatment chemical was likely a major contributor to the recent spike in lead levels in Pittsburgh's drinking water.

Health Hidden Poison Water

What’s the Best Way to Protect People from Lead-Tainted Drinking Water?

Julie Grant·March 24, 2017

Some say it's better corrosion control. Others say it's getting lead service lines out of the system altogether. But many observers agree that current federal regulations are totally inadequate.

Health Hidden Poison

Pittsburgh Tried To Get Homeowners To Replace Their Lead Service Lines. Only One Person Did.

Margaret J. Krauss·March 24, 2017

A pilot project in Lawrenceville highlights the complexity of getting lead pipes out of the city's water system.

Health Hidden Poison

Here’s What Happens Inside a Lab Testing Pittsburghers’ Water For Lead

Liz Reid·March 24, 2017

Some fancy science, that's what. As in some inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy — a process that can analyze samples quickly and with super-accurate results.

Health Hidden Poison

Is a Petrochemical Boom Heading for Pennsylvania?

Reid Frazier·March 23, 2017

Shell's ethane cracker may prove to just be an opening act. A new state-commissioned report says that by 2030, Pennsylvania could be a major hub for the nation's petrochemical industry.

Energy The Coming Chemical Boom

Congress Axed a Rule to Protect Streams from Coal Pollution. Here’s What That Means for Pennsylvania.

Reid Frazier·February 10, 2017

The new Congress didn't waste any time rolling back an Obama administration regulation making it harder for mining companies to dump mining waste into streams.

Future of Coal Pollution Water

The Debate Over Shell’s Water Pollution Permit is Heating Up

Reid Frazier·February 3, 2017

Shell is building a brand new ethane cracker in Beaver County, but it wants to use the less-stringent water pollution permit that was issued to the site's previous owner. Will the state play along?

Pollution The Coming Chemical Boom Water

The Ohio River Crosses State Lines. Does It Need a Regional Agreement that Does Too?

Kara Holsopple·February 3, 2017

For years, regional agreements have been used to improve watersheds in places like the Chesapeake Bay and the Great Lakes. Some advocates argue the Ohio River needs one too.

Headwaters Water

This Week, Outside #6: The Ice Breakers, Makers

The Allegheny Front·January 21, 2017

No competition for 'photo of the week.' The honors clearly go to this shot of the Army Corps of Engineers and Pennsylvania Game Commission rescuing a Berks County deer that had fallen through the ice. Amazing.

This Week Outside

Potter Township Green Lights Shell’s Ethane Cracker

Reid Frazier·January 19, 2017

With a permit from township supervisors, Shell has moved another step closer toward building its massive chemical plant near Pittsburgh.

Economy Energy Pollution The Coming Chemical Boom

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Series

As in Flint, Cost-Cutting May Be to Blame for Pittsburgh’s High Lead Levels

What’s the Best Way to Protect People from Lead-Tainted Drinking Water?

Pittsburgh Tried To Get Homeowners To Replace Their Lead Service Lines. Only One Person Did.

Here’s What Happens Inside a Lab Testing Pittsburghers’ Water For Lead

Is a Petrochemical Boom Heading for Pennsylvania?

Congress Axed a Rule to Protect Streams from Coal Pollution. Here’s What That Means for Pennsylvania.

The Debate Over Shell’s Water Pollution Permit is Heating Up

The Ohio River Crosses State Lines. Does It Need a Regional Agreement that Does Too?

This Week, Outside #6: The Ice Breakers, Makers

Potter Township Green Lights Shell’s Ethane Cracker