Clean Water for Export
In 1892, the Westmoreland Coal Company opened its mine here—and by 1904, Export was the largest single mining operation in Westmoreland County. They named this town for what it did: ship coal out to the world. Today, Export ships nothing but still delivers: quality municipal water, award-winning schools, and that small-town feel inside the Murrysville border. We help ensure your water is as good as the community.
Custom-Engineered Systems • Based in Murrysville Since 2021
From Coal Exports to Community Pride
The name tells the story. When the Westmoreland Coal Company opened its mine here in 1892, the coal was loaded onto Pennsylvania Railroad cars and shipped out—exported—to Pittsburgh and beyond. By 1900, 494 men and boys worked the mine, producing over 513,000 tons of coal. By 1904, the Export mines were the largest single mining operation in Westmoreland County, extracting nearly 734,000 tons annually.
The 1910-1911 coal strike—sometimes called the Slovak Strike because 70% of the miners were Slovak immigrants—shaped this community. Export Borough was incorporated in 1911, right in the middle of that struggle. The 1920s brought a boom, with population swelling to 2,500. The mines eventually closed, but the community endured.
Today, Export is a tight-knit borough of about 900 residents, completely surrounded by Murrysville but maintaining its own identity. The old mine entrances were uncovered as recently as 2018-2019. The coal legacy is still underfoot—and sometimes in the water infrastructure.
Mine Opened
Tons of Coal (1904)
Residents Today
Generations Our Expertise
Your Water Source
Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County
Beaver Run Reservoir • George R. Sweeney Treatment Plant • 120,000+ Customers
About Export’s Water
Export receives municipal water from the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County (MAWC), one of the largest water providers in the region. Your water comes from the George R. Sweeney Water Treatment Plant, which draws from Beaver Run Reservoir—an 11-billion-gallon protected watershed.
MAWC has won the Pennsylvania AWWA “Best Tasting Water” award multiple times. From mid-October to May, they switch from chloramines to free chlorine for disinfection, which some residents notice.
What Export Residents Notice
- Seasonal chlorine taste — Free chlorine disinfection Oct-May
- Hard water — Calcium/magnesium causing scale
- Aging infrastructure — Some lines are 70+ years old
- Pipe material concerns — Historic transite (asbestos-cement) lines
- Older home plumbing — Coal-era and mid-century homes
- Water pressure — Variable in some areas
Common Water Concerns in Export
MAWC delivers safe, award-winning water to Export. But what happens between the treatment plant and your tap—through miles of pipes and your home’s plumbing—can affect what you experience. These are the issues we address most often.
Chlorine Taste & Odor
MAWC switches to free chlorine from mid-October to May for system maintenance. Some residents notice a stronger chlorine taste and smell during this period. It’s safe, but not always pleasant.
Solution: Whole-house carbon filtration
Hard Water Scale
Reservoir water picks up minerals. The result: white scale on fixtures, spots on dishes, soap scum in showers, and shortened appliance life. Water heaters suffer especially.
Solution: Water softening system
Aging Pipe Infrastructure
Some Export waterlines are 70+ years old. Older distribution pipes—including some transite (asbestos-cement) lines—can affect water quality and pressure. Your home’s plumbing adds another variable.
Solution: Point-of-entry filtration
Lead Service Lines
Homes built before 1986 may have lead service lines or lead solder. MAWC treats water to minimize corrosion, but older plumbing remains a concern for some homes.
Solution: Lead testing + RO system
Sediment & Particles
Reservoir water is well-treated, but aging distribution lines can release particulates. You might notice sediment in aerators or occasional cloudiness, especially after system maintenance.
Solution: Sediment filtration
Appliance Protection
Water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines suffer from hard water scale and sediment. Protecting these investments means treating the water before it reaches them.
Solution: Whole-house treatment
Export Neighborhoods
Export is small—just 0.4 square miles—but different areas have different characteristics based on when homes were built and their plumbing systems.
Historic Coal Era Homes (Pre-1930s)
Some of Export’s oldest homes date to the coal mining boom. These structures may have had plumbing installed, removed, and reinstalled multiple times over the decades. Many have a mix of old and new plumbing materials.
⚠️ Common Issues
- Galvanized steel pipes (corroded inside)
- Lead service lines or solder
- Multiple plumbing generations mixed
- Low water pressure from restricted pipes
✓ Recommended Solutions
- Water testing for lead and copper
- Point-of-use RO for drinking water
- Whole-house sediment filtration
- Water softening for scale prevention
Mid-Century Homes (1940s-1970s)
Built during Export’s residential transition from coal town to suburb. These homes often have copper plumbing with lead solder (pre-1986) and connect to the original municipal water distribution system.
⚠️ Common Issues
- Copper pipes with lead solder joints
- Connected to older distribution lines
- Hard water damage to original fixtures
- Water heater scale accumulation
✓ Recommended Solutions
- Water softening system
- Chlorine removal filtration
- Lead testing (solder concerns)
- Point-of-use RO for drinking
Newer Construction (1980s-Present)
Homes built after 1986 use lead-free solder and typically have PEX or newer copper plumbing. While internal plumbing is usually good, they still connect to Export’s aging municipal distribution system.
⚠️ Common Issues
- Hard water affecting new appliances
- Chlorine taste during seasonal switch
- Sediment from distribution system
- Spots on fixtures and glassware
✓ Recommended Solutions
- High-efficiency water softener
- Carbon filtration for taste/odor
- Whole-house sediment filter
- Appliance protection system
Water Treatment Services
Complete solutions for Export’s municipal water, engineered for your specific home and concerns.
Professional Water Analysis
Laboratory testing for hardness, chlorine, lead, pH, and more. Results guide every recommendation—your water, your solution.
Water Softening
High-efficiency softeners eliminate hard water scale, protect appliances, and make soap work the way it should. Sized for your household.
Chlorine Removal
Whole-house carbon filtration eliminates chlorine taste and odor year-round—especially during the October-May free chlorine period.
Reverse Osmosis
Point-of-use RO systems provide bottled-water quality from your tap. Removes lead, chlorine, and virtually all contaminants.
Whole-House Filtration
Custom-Designed media beds address multiple concerns in one system. Sediment, chlorine, and more—filtered at the point of entry.
Maintenance & Repair
Scheduled service keeps your system running right. We service all brands and provide 24/7 emergency support.
Our Process
Test
We analyze your water at the tap—not just what MAWC reports. Your specific situation matters.
Design
Based on results, home age, and your concerns, we engineer a custom solution. No cookie-cutter packages.
Install
Professional installation by our trained technicians. We test everything and train you on operation.
Support
Warranties up to 10 years. Scheduled maintenance. 24/7 emergency service when you need it.
Why Export Chooses Us
Your Neighbors
Based in Murrysville—the community that surrounds Export. We’re local, not a national franchise.
Test First
We analyze before we recommend. Your solution is based on actual water chemistry, not a sales script.
No Pressure
We educate, you decide. Transparent pricing, honest advice, no high-pressure tactics.
Always Available
Water emergencies don’t wait for business hours. Neither do we. 24/7 service.
Serving Export & Surrounding Communities
Neighboring Regions
Get Your Water Tested
MAWC delivers award-winning water to the main, but what comes out of your tap depends on distribution lines, service connections, and your home’s plumbing. Find out exactly what’s in your water—and what we can do about it.
✓ BBB Registered
✓ Based in Murrysville
What to Expect
- Professional water analysis at your tap
- Clear explanation of results
- Customized treatment recommendations
- Transparent, upfront pricing
- No obligation to purchase
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does Export’s water come from?
Export receives municipal water from the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County (MAWC). Your water is treated at the George R. Sweeney Water Treatment Plant, which draws from Beaver Run Reservoir—an 11-billion-gallon protected source. MAWC’s water has won Pennsylvania’s “Best Tasting Water” award multiple times.
Why does my water taste like chlorine sometimes?
MAWC uses chloramines (chlorine + ammonia) most of the year, but switches to free chlorine from mid-October to May for system maintenance. Free chlorine has a stronger taste and smell. It’s completely safe, but many residents prefer filtered water during this period.
Should I be concerned about the old water lines in Export?
Some of Export’s distribution lines are 70+ years old, including some transite (asbestos-cement) pipes. While MAWC is working to replace aging infrastructure, the timeline is long. A whole-house filtration system provides peace of mind by treating water at your point of entry.
Does Export have hard water?
Yes. Beaver Run Reservoir water contains dissolved calcium and magnesium that cause hardness. You’ll notice scale on fixtures, water spots on dishes, and soap that doesn’t lather well. Hard water also shortens the life of water heaters and appliances.
How much does water treatment cost?
It depends on your specific needs. A basic water softener might run $1,500-2,500 installed. A comprehensive system addressing hardness, chlorine, and sediment could be $3,000-5,000. We always test first and provide detailed quotes with no hidden fees.
You’re based in Murrysville—do you service Export?
Absolutely! Export is literally surrounded by Murrysville, so we’re just minutes away. We serve Export, Murrysville, Delmont, and throughout Westmoreland County. Being your neighbors means faster response times and local knowledge.
Built to Last—Like Export Itself
Export survived the end of coal, the Great Depression, and decades of change. The community that shipped coal to the world now ships nothing—but delivers quality in everything it does. Let us help ensure your water measures up to that standard.