THE WATERSHED OF McKeesport

McKeesport is a municipality in Allegheny County along the Monongahela and Youghiogheny Rivers. The city is a suburb of Pittsburgh that was settled in 1755 by Scottish colonist David McKee, during which time ‘Queen’ Aliquippa was the ruling chief of the local Mingo Seneca clan. As David and his son John McKee sold plots of land at the turn of the 19th century, McKeesport grew into a bustling mining town until it’s first steel mill was established in 1851. The National Tube Works was opened in 1872, and the city became a national center for steel manufacture as ten major steel companies merged to form U.S. Steel. Most legacy contamination is due to spilled fuel and heavy metals. Since the decline of the steel industry, McKeesport’s population is considerably smaller and now faces contamination issues such as PFAS in drinking water. Crooked Run, a tributary of the Monongahela River, is classified as 'impaired' by the PA Department of Environmental Protection due to an excess of silt and sediment. 

Report Source Water Pollution
Call 911 in an emergency
Three Rivers Waterkeeper: 412-589-9411 | Pollution Report Form
SW DEP Pollution Hotline: 412-442-4000 
PA Fish and Boat Commission: 855-347-4545 
EPA Region 3: 1-800-424-8802

If you see someone dumping waste, call the City of McKeesport: (412) 675-5020

  • More community resources at the McKeesport library and online

Water assistance

Drinking Water
The Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County is the drinking water provider in McKeesport. 

The McKeesport area is served by the MAWC McKeesport Water Treatment plant. Read the 2023 Drinking Water Consumer Confidence Report here. 
  • If you have a delinquent payment and it has been ten days since your official shut off notice, call (724) 755-5800 to make your payment or come to the New Stanton office (front counter from 8:15am to 4:30pm or 24/7 drive thru window). 
  • The McKeesport Water Treatment Plant uses source water from the Youghiogheny River and produces nearly 7 million gallons of drinking water per day.

Wastewater
PA American Water provides wastewater treatment for McKeesport.

PA American Water customer assistance programs:
  • Payment Arrangements: 
    • If you know you will have trouble making a payment on time, contact 1-800-565-7292. 
  • Medical Certification:
    • If a member of your household has a medical condition that requires water services and you know you will have trouble making a payment, contact 1-800-565-7292. 
  • Protection from Abuse and Other Court Orders
    • If you have a Protection From Abuse (PFA) or other court orders then you can have protections placed on your water service. To receive these Protection from Abuse protections, contact Pennsylvania American Water at 717-550-1538.
    • More information about these protections can be found here
Other assistance programs:For more information and help with navigating bills and qualifications, call:
Stormwater
“The City of McKeesport is a covered permittee for the PAG-13 Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit, which is issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP), under Permit ID. PAG136219. Permittees under the MS4 permit are responsible for the pollutant load and stormwater runoff within the MS4’s urbanized areas that are discharging to downstream storm sewers or waters of the Commonwealth. The City is required to address these pollutant control measures by informing the community on stormwater and how the community can assist the City in meeting their stormwater management requirements.”
  • McKeesport has a Pollution Reduction Plan (PRP) (linked) for reducing Sediment and Nutrient pollution in Long Run and Crooked Run, which are designated as ‘impaired’ by the PA Department of Environmental Protection
  • If any member of the public has questions regarding the City of McKeesport Stormwater Management Plan, please contact Marissa Brletic of KLH Engineers via email at [email protected].
  • If you witness illicit discharge such as sanitary wastewater, effluent from septic tanks, roadway accident spills, or improper disposal of auto and household waste, file a complaint form online and send it to [email protected], call (412) 675-5020, or go to City Hall 
    • 500 Fifth Avenue

Transportation Assistance​

Port Authority Transit runs the McKeesport Flyer/P7 bus from Duquesne Blvd at Library Place to downtown Pittsburgh with stops along Swissvale, Wilkinsburg, Homewood, East Liberty, and Polish Hill.

Action Housing 
  • Affordable Housing, Weatherization, Youth Programs, etc.

ACCESS program
  • ACCESS is a door-to-door, advance reservation, shared–ride transportation program provided throughout Allegheny County and to destinations in adjoining counties within 1.5 miles of Allegheny County.
    • ACCESS ADA Program
      • To request an application, please call the ACCESS program office at (412) 562-5353 or TTY 711.
    • ACCESS 65 Plus Program
      • Provides an 85% discount on ACCESS fares for anyone aged 65 or over. 
      • Call (412) 562-5353  or TTY 711 to find the 65 Plus registration center nearest to you and its schedule. People with valid government-issued photo ID may apply through the mail.

Senior Citizen's free bus passes 
  • Connect cards are available for senior citizens to ride Port Authority buses. 
  • Contact local representative for application 
  • 1633 Pennsylvania 51 Suite G-102 Jefferson Hills, PA 15025

food assistance

Food Assistance Resources from the McKeesport Library

employment & Education assistance

The McKeesport Library has programs and resources both on their website and in person at 1507 Library Ave.

​Caregiver Support Program
  • The Caregiver Support Program (CSP) assists family and friends over the age of 18 caring for their loved one in their home. The focus is to respond to the needs of the caregiver so that they are able to provide the best care possible for their loved one.
  • Contact:
    • Phone: 412-350-5460
1-800-344-4319 (Toll-free)
  • Address: Weekdays, during business hours
Birmingham Towers
2100 Wharton Street, Second Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15203

Builders Guild of Western PA 
Vibrant Pittsburgh
  • Job Boardspecifically focused on attracting a diverse group of talent to the Pittsburgh region.

Urban Seniors Job Program 
Bank On Greater Pittsburgh 
  • Providing access to low-income financial services and education to residents to help the unbanked and under-bank community to establish banking.  
    • (412) 227-4210​

McKeesport Forms​

Discharge Complaint Form

Additional resources

  • Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990 // CALL or TEXT 
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 or TEXT: 8388255
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (en Espanol): 1-888-628-9454
  • National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 or text LOVEIS to 22522
  • National Alliance on Mental Illness: www.nami.org/help, 1-800-950-6264 or [email protected]
  • National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-422-4453 // CALL or TEXT 
  • National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673
  • Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Helpline: 1-800-662-4357
  • Allegheny county department of human service Medical Assistance Transportation Program(MATP): 1-888-547-MATP (6287) https://connect.alleghenycounty.us/food-transportation-and-other-essentials/ 
  • Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, Doorstep delivery program:  412-460-3663 x720  https://pittsburghfoodbank.org/what-we-do/individuals-families/doorstep-delivery/ 
  • Meals on Wheels Pennsylvania: contact LuAnn Oatman at [email protected] 
  • Free Charity Cars for free/low cost cars: apply on their website: https://freecharitycars.org
  • ​Center for Victims 
    • 24-Hour Crisis Hotline 1-866-644-2882
    • Including Domestic violence, rape and sexual assault, child sexual assault and physical abuse, elder abuse, homicide, burglary and incidents of mass violence.
  • Steel Smiling: If any Black person in Pittsburgh is uninsured and in need of mental health therapy, please let us know. 
  • PA Get Help Now - Substance Abuse 
    • 24/7-Hotline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
    • 326 Third Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
  • Community Care Behavioral Health 
    • After-hours access to drug and alcohol services: 1-800-553-7499 
  • Non-emergency drug and alcohol questions:
    • 412-350-3328,
    • TTY/TDD 412-350-3467
    • (8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
  • The Resolve Crisis Network Engagement Center - Comprehensive 24/7 crisis service for individuals and families whose identified crisis relates to substance abuse:
    • 1-888-796-8226 
  • Warmline for emotional support from peers:
    • 1-866-661-WARM (9276)

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