Upgrading for Safety: $1.2M Project to Replace Asbestos-Infused Water Pipes in North Huntingdon
A $1.2 million infrastructure upgrade is underway in North Huntingdon to replace nearly a mile of aging waterline—some of which contains asbestos-infused cement pipes dating back to the early 1950s. Approved by the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County (MAWC), the project aims to modernize critical infrastructure, improve service reliability, and mitigate long-term risks associated with deteriorating pipe materials, including asbestos.
While officials have stated that the asbestos present in these pipes poses no immediate danger to the water supply, the project marks another step in the nationwide movement to phase out aging materials that may have once been deemed safe but now raise serious concerns about health and environmental impact.
A Common Yet Concerning Legacy
Throughout the 20th century, asbestos was widely used in construction and manufacturing due to its durability, heat resistance, and cost-effectiveness. One common application was in cement water pipes, as structural reinforcement.
According to the American Water Works Association, more than 600,000 miles of asbestos-cement pipes were installed across the United States and Canada during this era. Many of these lines are still in service today. While undisturbed asbestos is does not pose a threat, the fibers become hazardous when released into the air during cutting, removal, or when pipes degrade over time.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies asbestos as a known human carcinogen. Inhalation of asbestos fibers has been linked to mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. Although drinking water that passes through intact asbestos pipes is not considered a high risk, the potential for fiber release during repairs or system degradation has raised concern among public health advocates and environmental scientists.
What the North Huntingdon Project Involves
The North Huntingdon project targets the stretch of waterline that runs along McKee Road—from Clay Pike to Robbins Station Road. This line includes a 75-year-old section of asbestos-cement pipe and an additional portion of outdated cast iron pipe. In the first phase, approximately 2,000 feet of cast iron pipe will be replaced from Clay Pike to Whitmore Road. In the second phase, about 2,800 feet of asbestos-infused cement pipe will be removed and replaced from Whitmore Road to Robbins Station Road.
The replacement is part of a broader, multi-year initiative funded by $75 million in bond money secured earlier this year. The authority is using these funds to modernize its aging water infrastructure, which serves more than 123,000 customers across Westmoreland, Allegheny, Armstrong, Fayette, and Indiana counties.
MAWC emphasized that the asbestos in the cement pipe does not touch the water or the ground and only becomes a concern when disturbed. “However, safety protocols are being followed meticulously. Small sections of pipe are being carefully removed, sealed, and discarded in designated dumpsters designed to isolate carcinogenic materials from workers, the air, and the surrounding environment.
The new replacement material is PVC, which is a safer, more durable alternative that meets modern standards for water infrastructure.
Ongoing Investments in Infrastructure and Safety
The North Huntingdon project is just one of eight infrastructure improvements approved during a recent MAWC board meeting. Altogether, $2.8 million has been allocated to system upgrades, including:
- A new filter installation at a sewer treatment plant in Mt. Pleasant
- Sewer line replacements in the New Stanton area, serving Fort Allen in Hempfield
- Water tower repainting in West Leechburg
- A $69,000 cybersecurity investment to strengthen protections for the authority’s water production control systems
The replacement of asbestos-laden water pipes in North Huntingdon serves as a microcosm of a much larger issue facing utilities across the U.S. As cities and towns grapple with aging infrastructure—much of it constructed using now-outdated or hazardous materials—communities are being called upon to invest in upgrades that protect public health and preserve service quality.
The $1.2 million waterline replacement in North Huntingdon isn’t just a routine maintenance project—it’s a critical step toward safer, more resilient infrastructure. As utilities continue to modernize systems across the nation, projects like this set the standard for balancing safety, cost, and long-term public health.
If you or someone you know may have been diagnosed with mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure, contact us at 412-471-3980 to discuss your case and protect your rights. Our team is committed to advocating for justice and holding those responsible for asbestos exposure accountable.
