UPDATED: This story is ongoing. If you live in the affected areas and are concerned about your water, check with Penn American for the most up-to-date information.
About 100,000 Pennsylvania American Water Company customers southwest of Pittsburgh are being asked not to drink or cook any water straight from the tap for the next 48 hours.
Penn American shared the news on its website around 5 p.m. Monday. The water is safe for bathing and washing clothes, according to the post.
Affected communities in Allegheny County include Bethel Park, Clairton, Dravosburg, Elizabeth Township, Elizabeth Borough, Glassport, Jefferson, Jefferson Hills Borough, Liberty, Lincoln, North Fayette, South Fayette, South Park, Upper Saint Clair and West Elizabeth, as well as 41 others in Washington County.
The advisory asks residents in affected areas boil water for one minute and let it cool before using it for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes or food preparation. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water, officials said.
Water buffaloes are available at the following locations:
- Bethel Park Community Center: 5151 Park Ave, Bethel Park, PA 15102
- Jefferson Hills Borough Police Department: 925 Old Clairton Rd, Jefferson Hills, PA 15025
- Elrama Volunteer Fire Company: 17 Elrama Ave, Elrama, PA 15038
- South Fayette Township Library: 515 Millers Run Rd, Morgan, PA 15064
- South Park Township Library: 2575 Brownsville Rd, South Park Township, PA 15129
- Upper St Clair Community & Recreation Center: 1551 Mayview Rd, Upper St Clair, PA 15241
Penn American reported that water samples taken earlier in the day from portions of its Allegheny and Washington county service areas showed cloudiness levels above the regulatory standard, which carries an increased risk for disease-causing organisms. Those tanks will be drained, spokesperson Melissa Walters said in a release.
"We anticipate resolving the problem by this (Monday) evening," wrote Walters. "Pennsylvania American Water is collecting and analyzing additional water quality samples, including bacteria samples. We will inform you when tests show no bacteria and you no longer need to boil your water."
Water problems have persisted region-wide this year.
An estimated 18,000 homes serviced by the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority in Pittsburgh's northern neighborhoods, Millvale and Reserve Township endured an advisory for several days in August. Another 100,000 PWSA customers in the East End faced one after disinfection and chlorine testing in January near the Highland Park filtration plant tested abnormally.
