Boil water advisory is lifted for Pa. American customers in Allegheny, Washington counties

It was issued Saturday following a water main break in Elrama.

By the MVI

A weekend boil water advisory for roughly 95,000 Pennsylvania American Water customers in Allegheny and Washington counties was lifted Monday morning after testing showed no signs of bacterial contamination.

The notice went into effect Saturday after a power surge interrupted pumping, causing a 4-foot-wide water main to break near the Aldrich Water Treatment Plant in Elrama, Washington County.

That led to the depletion of one of the plant’s tanks and a loss of pressure throughout the distribution system, which triggered a state-mandated boil water advisory because of the chance for contaminants to enter the pipes.

Poorly treated water can cause nausea, cramps, diarrhea and headaches. For about two days, customers were told to use bottled water or keep their tap water at a rolling boil for a minute before using it to drink, cook, shower, make ice, wash dishes or brush their teeth.

Water samples taken Sunday and Monday came back clear, allowing Pennsylvania American Water to clear state protocol and ends its advisory. The water utility put out the word just after 11 a.m. Monday.

The water main break happened outside the Elrama Volunteer Fire Department, flooding the building and nearly trapping firefighters inside. No injuries were reported.

These communities were under the advisory and are now able to use their water normally:

Allegheny County

• Bethel Park, Bridgeville, Clairton, Dravosburg, Elizabeth Township, Elizabeth Borough, Forward Township, Glassport, Jefferson Hills Borough, Liberty, Lincoln, North Fayette, South Fayette, South Park, Upper Saint Clair and West Elizabeth.

Washington County

• Amwell, Buffalo, Canonsburg, Canton, Carroll Township, Cecil Township, Chartiers, City of Washington, Claysville, Cross Creek, Donegal Township, East Washington, Fallowfield, Finleyville, 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.