Boil water advisory affects nearly 100,000 Pennsylvania American Water customers
Nearly 100,000 Pennsylvania American Water customers in Washington and Allegheny counties were under a boil-water advisory over the weekend after a massive water main break in Elrama on Friday night.
Pennsylvania American Water said early Saturday morning that the advisory was issued because a power surge depleted water storage at the tank near the Aldrich Water Treatment plant in Elrama and that a loss of water pressure could have caused contamination in the system through backflow or back siphonage.
Customers can enter their address and view a map to see if they're affected by this advisory at this link.
The Elrama Volunteer Fire Company of Union Township said there was a 48-inch water main break around 11:30 p.m. on Friday that happened in front of their station. A spokesperson from Pennsylvania American confirmed to KDKA-TV that the break was related to their advisory that was issued.
Photos from the fire company showed significant flooding in the area, including a vehicle under a large amount of water in the roadway.
Lenny Bailey, assistant fire chief for the Elrama Volunteer Fire Company said the fire department's garage was flooded because of the water main break and several firemen were initially trapped in the building because of the rising water.
"It's very devastating for the fire department," Bailey said. "We've never had this much damage done. It's pretty heart-wrenching."
On Saturday, Pennsylvania American said that normal electrical service to the plant had been restored and that crews were collecting and analyzing water samples for further testing.
"According to Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection guidelines, water samples must be collected to test for bacteria in the distribution system. The first samples are taken on the day when the issue has been corrected, and then another set of samples is taken in the next 24 hours," the company said.
On Sunday, Pennsylvania American said that the first round of samples came back negative for bacterial contamination and that a second set of samples were awaiting results. Regulations require a second negative test result before the boil water advisory can be lifted.
An update is expected from Pennsylvania American Water by late Monday morning.
What do you need to do when you're under a boil water advisory?
Under a boil water advisory, you are asked to bring all water to a rolling boil and let it boil for one minute.
This includes all water, including water for drinking, making ice, washing dishes, brushing teeth, and food preparation.
Contaminated water can cause bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections, which can lead to nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and other ailments.
More information can be found on Pennsylvania American Water's website at this link or by calling their customer service center at 800-565-7292.
What areas and communities are included in the boil water advisory?
Pennsylvania American Water said that dozens of communities throughout Allegheny and Washington counties are included in the advisory area.
Here's a full list of municipalities and townships impacted by the advisory:
Allegheny County
- Bethel Park
- Clairton
- Dravosburg
- Elizabeth Township
- Elizabeth Borough
- Glassport
- Jefferson Hills Borough
- Liberty
- Lincoln
- North Fayette
- South Fayette
- South Park
- Upper Saint Clair
- West Elizabeth
Washington County
- Amwell
- Buffalo
- Canonsburg
- Canton
- Caroll Township
- Cecil Township
- Chartiers
- City of Washington
- Claysville
- Cross Creek
- Donegal Township
- East Washington
- Fallowfield
- Finleyville
- Forward Township
- Green Hills Borough
- Houston
- Jefferson
- Monongahela
- Mount Pleasant
- New Eagle
- North Franklin
- North Strabane
- Nottingham
- Peters Township
- Somerset Township
- South Franklin
- South Strabane
- Union Township
- West Middletown
