Boil water advisory issued for much of Washington County
Communities under boil water advisory
Courtesy of Pennsylvania American Water
A boil water advisory is in effect until Wednesday night for at least 100,000 customers in Allegheny and Washington counties.
Pennsylvania American Water has issued a boil water advisory for much of Washington County after tests Monday showed high turbidity, or cloudiness, levels for water for much of the company’s service areas in Washington and southern Allegheny counties.
Customers are instructed to bring water to a boil for one minute, then let it cool before drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes or using it in food preparation until further notice.
“Water samples taken on November 6, 2017, had turbidity levels of above the regulatory standard,” Pennsylvania American said in a statement on its website. “Because of these high levels of turbidity, there is an increased chance that the water might contain disease-causing organisms.”
About 100,000 customers are affected, according to the statement.
The company said turbidity itself doesn’t have any health effects, but can indicate the presence of organisms including bacteria, parasites and viruses.
“People with severely compromised immune systems, infants, and some elderly may be at increased risk,” the company said. “These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers.”
County Commissioners Chairman Larry Maggi said the county’s “emergency management team are watching” the situation.
“We’re going to wait and see,” Maggi said. “(The water company is) advising people to boil water now, and that’s what we suggest people do.”
Maggi said officials ordered a water buffalo to provide drinking water for inmates at the county jail.
Pennsylvania American’s statement said it expected to have the problem resolved Monday evening. Company spokeswoman Melissa Walters said Wednesday would be the earliest the company could be able to lift the advisory.
“And that’s standard,” Walters said. “Anytime there’s a boil advisory, the (Department of Environmental Protection) requires two clean tests, and there’s a 24-hour period between each test.”
DEP spokeswoman Lauren Fraley said the agency is working with the water company.
“PAWC must demonstrate that they are meeting regulatory standards before DEP would grant permission to lift the advisory,” she said in an email.
Walters said the company planned to release information Tuesday morning about where it has set up water buffaloes.
Trinity Area Assistant Superintendent Don Snoke said in an emailed notification school would continue normally during the notice. Students and staff were encouraged to bring bottled water, but “bottles of water will be available in the offices upon request.”
Employees at grocery stores in the area reported an influx of customers buying water.
“Within an hour and a half we’ve sold through probably at least 60 percent of our stock (of water),” said Lori Akers, head cashier at Petrucci’s IGA in Burgettstown. Gallon jugs had nearly sold out by late in the evening, she said. Smaller bottles were selling fast, too.
A customer service representative who answered the phone at the Shop ‘n Save in Washington told a similar story.
“Almost every customer has at least one case of water in their buggy,” said the representative, who declined to give her name.”
The following Washington County communities are affected:
- Amwell
- Avella
- Buffalo
- Burgettstown
- Canton
- Canonsburg
- Carroll Township
- Cecil Township
- Chartiers
- City of Washington
- Claysville
- Cross Creek
- Donegal Township
- East Washington
- Fallowfield
- Finleyville
- Frankfort Springs
- Forward Township
- Green Hills Borough
- Independence
- Hanover
- Hopewell
- Houston
- Jefferson
- McDonald
- Midway
- Monongahela
- Mount Pleasant
- New Eagle
- North Franklin
- North Strabane
- Nottingham
- Peters Township
- Robinson Township
- Smith Township
- Somerset Township
- South Franklin
- South Strabane
- Union Township
- West Middletown