Municipal Authority Of Westmoreland County Issues Boil Water Alert
GREENSBURG (KDKA) -- Officials with the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County have issued a precautionary boil water alert for many of the communities they service.
Those affected include around 50,000 households served by the authority that are north of Route 30. Officials have also said the alert affects White Oak in Allegheny County.
The Westmoreland County communities include:
- Apollo
- Delmont
- Derry Township
- Export
- Irwin
- Jeannette
- Manor
- Murrysville
- North Huntingdon
- Penn Township
- Vandergrift
Authorities say they've issued the advisory because a filter water sample collected on Wednesday at the George R. Sweeney Treatment Plant indicated a problem.
KDKA's Kym Gable Reports:
They call it a "potential deficiency of the filtration barrier."
People affected are advised to boil any water for one minute or use bottled water for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes and cooking until further notice.
KDKA's Kym Gable Reports:
Many Westmoreland County residents were hurrying to buy bottled water before it's all gone.
"It's going down," said Susan Wigle. "There's no gallons in there -- just these little bottles."
Some local business, like restaurants, have had to close for the day without water -- as did many schools.
The Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County reports they are increasing the chlorine dosage and flushing their water distribution lines.
Officials said in a news conference Friday that they are being as proactive as possible, though they are not completely satisfied with the results.
There has also been some confusion as to which areas have been affected, but officials say if you think you might be within the boundaries of affected areas, to boil your water until further notice.
KDKA's Ross Guidotti Reports:
There needs to be clean test results for 48 hours before they can lift the advisory.
Officials are estimating that the advisory will be in effect through Tuesday.
Stay with KDKA for more on this developing story.
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