Amid excavators and hard hats on a dug up Greenfield Street, Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto struck an optimistic tone on replacing the lead pipes that have shaped the city’s water politics since 2016.

Over the past year the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority has been racing to replace 2,100 lead lines throughout the city. Thanks to the $49 million Gov. Tom Wolf announced Wednesday, that goal became a little more feasible.

“These projects benefit public health, the environment, and support sustainable communities as we advance our shared goal of a clean and safe environment for our families to enjoy,” Wolf said.

Pittsburgh Controller Michael Lamb has not minced words when it comes to the city’s water authority.

Lamb has previously described the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority as “mismanaged”, and pointed to issues caused by a “perfect storm of mistakes and incompetence.” But he showed a turnaround this week by praising their recent progress and joined the ranks of citizens and elected officials opposed to privatization.

Peoples Natural Gas has been courting the water authority since the spring to start a public-private partnership, but Lamb called the offer misguided and warned privatization would undo the progress seen over the past year.

The Pennsylvania Utility Commission held a public hearing to gauge residents' feelings on the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority’s proposed raise to residential rates Tuesday.

The suggested increase for 2019 is 17.1 percent, which the authority says will fund $74 million in infrastructure improvements and provide $163 million for maintenance and operations.