Repairs Continue, Boil Water Advisory Lifted After Water Main Break
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- A boil water advisory for Aspinwall residents and the Water Works Mall following a large water main break Friday in Sharpsburg has been lifted.
Crews with the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority continue to make repairs to the 60-inch water main, which runs along the Allegheny County Railroad Track where Route 8 meets Route 28.
"This 60-inch line here is probably well over 50 to 60 years of age," said Tom Palmosina, the PWSA's director of operations. "It's steel riveted and has a cement lining outside of it."
According to the PWSA, the repair process is more extensive because of the large size of the water main, and also because of where it's located.
"Can you imagine a 60-inch water line? It's going to take some time to excavate, get in there and make the necessary repairs," said Guy Costa, the City of Pittsburgh's operations chief.
Even though the water main is located in Sharpsburg, officials say it serves the Downtown and North Side areas of the city.
However, it was areas upstream from the break that were impacted, like St. Margaret's Hospital, Aspinwall Borough and businesses in the Water Works Mall.
And on any given Saturday, you can find the shopping plaza packed with people, and that is certainly the case this weekend.
But for restaurants like the Walnut Grill, the boil water advisory is keeping managers and their staff even busier.
"The restaurant business isn't the easiest thing on the weekends anyways, so it's just another wrench thrown into it," said Scott Lang, the restaurant's assistant general manager. "Definitely a lot of runs to Walmart. I think I cleared them out of their bottled water."
All customers have service, but the boil water advisory stayed in effect until Sunday morning.
Officials with the PWSA say they expect to have all repairs completed by the end of the week.
Back at the Walnut Grill, bottled water, bagged ice and canned sodas are on the menu until they get the green light to use it from the tap again.
"It's throwing us back a little, but we just keep business rolling," said Lang. "It hasn't really affected business at all."
RELATED LINKS:
Water Main Break Causes Disruptions Near Etna, Aspinwall (4/12/14)
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