Pittsburgh Water Partners with Oncourse on Affordable Repair Plans
The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (Pittsburgh Water) has announced a strategic partnership with Oncourse Home Solutions, a nationally recognized provider of home protection plans, to launch an optional program that helps local homeowners safeguard against costly and unexpected water, sewer, and plumbing issues.
This initiative not only offers peace of mind to property owners but also creates a unique way for Pittsburgh Water to strengthen its community support programs. Through a revenue-sharing agreement with Oncourse, every dollar earned will be allocated directly to Pittsburgh Water’s Hardship Grant program, which assists vulnerable households struggling with utility expenses.
Protecting Homeowners from the Unexpected
For many homeowners, the possibility of a burst water line, a collapsed sewer line, or a major plumbing emergency is a lingering concern. Such events can cause significant disruption and lead to repair bills running into thousands of dollars. Unlike issues within public infrastructure, repairs on private property typically fall under the homeowner’s responsibility—something many residents may not fully realize until a crisis occurs.
“Water and sewer line complications and plumbing emergencies can be expensive and stressful for homeowners,” said Will Pickering, Chief Executive Officer of Pittsburgh Water. “We partnered with Oncourse to offer our customers the option to add a layer of protection from the financial burden that can arise when the unexpected happens. Even better, every dollar we receive from a revenue-sharing agreement with Oncourse goes directly to helping our most vulnerable neighbors through our Hardship Grant program.”
By teaming up with Oncourse, Pittsburgh Water ensures that residents have a voluntary, cost-effective option to prepare for unforeseen breakdowns, while the community as a whole benefits from enhanced financial aid programs.
Program Details and Coverage Options
All residential customers who receive water or sewer services from Pittsburgh Water are eligible to purchase the protection plans through Oncourse Home Solutions. These plans are designed to offer comprehensive coverage and generous repair allowances, ensuring homeowners can address problems promptly without worrying about escalating costs.
Key features include:
- Water Line Coverage: Customers are entitled to up to $25,000 in repair costs per year for water line damage. This applies to the section of the water line on the homeowner’s property that connects to the main utility system.
- Sewer Line Coverage: Similarly, homeowners may receive up to $25,000 in sewer line repair coverage per year, with no cap on the number of service calls during the coverage period.
- Restoration Reimbursement: Repairs often require additional restoration, such as replacing landscaping, sidewalks, driveways, or other affected property elements. The program offers up to $1,000 in reimbursement for these types of out-of-pocket expenses.
- In-Home Emergency Plumbing Coverage: Beyond external lines, Oncourse will also provide coverage for internal plumbing emergencies. This plan allows up to $1,800 per incident to address leaks, breaks, or blockages within household plumbing systems.
The combination of external line and in-home coverage creates a safety net for homeowners, significantly reducing the financial strain when unexpected infrastructure issues arise.
A Community-Centered Revenue Model
While many utilities across the country partner with third-party service providers and retain the financial benefits to strengthen their balance sheets, Pittsburgh Water has chosen a different approach.
In this case, 100% of the revenue share generated from the partnership will go directly into Pittsburgh Water’s Hardship Grant program, which provides essential support to income-eligible households. This means that customers purchasing protection plans are not only securing their own financial stability but are also indirectly supporting neighbors in need.
This unique funding model aligns with Pittsburgh Water’s broader mission of promoting equity and ensuring that all residents—especially those most vulnerable—have continued access to safe and reliable water services.
Oncourse Home Solutions: A Proven Partner
Pittsburgh Water’s decision to select Oncourse Home Solutions came after a competitive bidding process, during which the authority evaluated multiple potential providers. Oncourse was chosen based on several factors, including:
- Experience with Utilities: Oncourse has a proven track record of working with both municipal and private utility providers across the country.
- Customer-Friendly Approach: Its opt-in, voluntary enrollment model ensures that customers are not automatically charged but instead choose coverage that fits their needs.
- Commitment to Local Support: Oncourse pledged to emphasize supplier diversity, invest in local hiring, and provide Pittsburgh-based customer service to assist residents directly.
“We’re proud to partner with Pittsburgh Water to bring our trusted protection plans to more homeowners,” said Aaron Cooper, Chief Executive Officer of Oncourse Home Solutions. “Our mission is to simplify homeownership by removing the stress of surprise repairs – and we’re excited to support Pittsburgh Water customers with local service and national expertise.”
Currently, Oncourse serves over 1.8 million homeowners across 43 states and Washington, D.C., maintaining a 95% customer satisfaction rating. In Allegheny County alone, the company already supports approximately 48,000 homeowners, collectively saving them millions of dollars in avoided repair costs since first entering the region.
Why This Partnership Matters
The importance of such protection programs cannot be overstated. Across the U.S., water and sewer infrastructure is aging, and unexpected failures are increasingly common. Homeowners often discover—too late—that they are financially responsible for repairing the portion of service lines located on their private property.
For Pittsburgh residents, the costs can be particularly steep due to older housing stock, challenging terrain, and seasonal weather conditions that exacerbate infrastructure wear and tear. By offering a structured and reliable protection plan, Pittsburgh Water and Oncourse are providing not just financial relief but also peace of mind.
At the same time, the initiative creates a social benefit loop: customers purchasing plans help fund the Hardship Grant program, which in turn assists low-income households struggling with their bills. It’s a model that blends financial security with social responsibility.
