Boil water advisory in effect for customers of Municipal Authority of Belle Vernon

The water must pass a second round of testing before the boil advisory can be lifted.

A boil water advisory affecting customers served by the Municipal Authority of Belle Vernon remains in effect as the authority awaits results from a second round of testing following repairs to its reservoir system.

The authority provides water service to Belle Vernon, North Belle Vernon and portions of Rostraver Township and Washington Township.

The advisory was issued Sunday as a precautionary measure following recent reservoir repairs.

According to the authority, the advisory does not mean contamination has been detected, but rather that state regulations require additional testing to ensure the water remains safe for consumption.

Water and Sewage Divisions Manager Gerald Jackson said crews immediately began flushing the water system after being notified of the issue and have since completed the first round of testing.

“We flushed our system, tested once and we’re testing again,” Jackson said Monday. “We tested today, and it’s at the lab, and we’re hoping to have an all clear by late tomorrow (Tuesday) night or first thing Wednesday morning.”

Under the advisory, customers are asked to bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute before using it for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes or food preparation.

Bottled water may also be used.

Following the notification Sunday, residents took to social media to express concerns over why flushing operations appeared to begin late Saturday before the public notifications were issued.

Jackson said the authority is required to begin corrective action right away, while also providing customer notification within a 24-hour window.

“When we get a notification, we have to act immediately and begin to flush the system,” Jackson said. “We start flushing right then and there. Within the required 24-hour period we sent out immediate notifications to all of the customers as a preventative measure until this was resolved.”

The authority successfully flushed the system and completed an initial round of testing.

A second day of testing is required before the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection can determine whether the advisory may be lifted.

Jackson expressed confidence that the latest round of testing will continue to show no contamination.

“As soon as we were notified of the problem, we took care of the problem, and I am sure tomorrow there will still be no contaminants in the system at all,” Jackson said. “I am drinking the water. I drank the water today. My kids are drinking the water.”

The authority has made drinking water available at its office for residents who are unable to boil water at home.

“We have offered water to anyone who needs water at the authority office in the case someone does not have the ability to boil water for one minute,” Jackson said. “We are doing our due diligence to follow all regulations and guidelines.”

Reservoir repairs have been under discussion for several months.

During a March meeting, it was reported that additional work was needed following a significant break at the reservoir. The project included replacing valves, removing trees and clearing the area around the facility.

It’s unclear if that work is related to the ongoing advisory.

The authority said inadequately treated water can potentially contain bacteria, viruses and parasites that may cause symptoms including nausea, cramps, diarrhea and headaches.

Health officials noted those symptoms can also be caused by other factors.

Jackson said customer safety remains the authority’s primary concern.

“As an authority we are sorry for any inconvenience this has caused but first and foremost, always, we consider the safety of our consumers, which is our top priority,” Jackson said.

Customers are encouraged to monitor authority notifications and updates for information regarding when the advisory is lifted.