Approximately 95,000 Pennsylvania American Water customers in Washington and parts of Allegheny County are under a boil water advisory. According to the water company, a power surge early Saturday morning caused a depletion of storage at a tank near the Aldrich Water Treatment Plant in Elrama, Washington County. which resulted in a loss of positive pressure within the distribution system, which the water company says signals the existence of conditions that could allow contamination to enter the distribution system. As a result, Pennsylvania American Water is issuing a boil water advisory for around 95,000 customers in Allegheny and Washington counties. Officials say some ninety homes were also without service after a 48-inch main water line break in front of the Elrama Volunteer Fire Company. Water buffaloes were brought in for those who need them. The company will inform its customers when repairs have been completed and the advisory is lifted. While under this advisory, all water should be brought to a rolling boil for at least a minute, then cooled, before using. Pennsylvania American Water says impacted customers should use boiled or bottled water for drinking, making ice, washing dishes, brushing teeth and food preparation until further notice. Inadequately treated water may contain disease-causing organisms, like bacteria, viruses and parasites, which can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea and associated headaches. If you experience any of these symptoms persistently, you are advised to seek medical advice. The following communities in Washington County are affected:
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 and West Middletown.