Pennsylvania American Water tells 100,000 customers to boil water for 48 hours

More than 100,000 customers of Pennsylvania American Water in parts of southern Allegheny and Washington counties are being told to boil their water before using it for the next 48 hours.

At least two school districts, South Fayette and South Allegheny, have canceled classes for Tuesday as a result of the advisory.

The Trinity and Peters Township school districts will be open today, but students and staff are encouraged to bring bottled water to school because drinking fountains will be turned off. Bottled water also will be available for those who need it. District officials said the food service departments will not use tap water when preparing meals.

Customers are advised not to drink any water without first boiling it for at least one minute. Only boiled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and food preparation until further notice, according to a company news release.

Pennsylvania American Water updated its list of affected communities late Monday.

The company said the advisory was issued Monday afternoon because of higher-than-allowable turbidity levels found in water samples.

“Because of these high levels of turbidity, there is an increased chance that the water might contain disease-causing organisms. This warning applies to approximately 100,000 customers.”

Turbid water contains dissolved matter that makes it appear cloudy.

According to the release, turbidity produces no inherent ill health effects, but turbid water is harder to disinfect than clear water, and it provides a medium in which bacteria and other organisms may grow.

Such organisms can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea and headaches.

People with weakened immune systems, such as infants and some elderly people, may be at increased risk.

The company said it expected to have the problem resolved by Monday evening by, among other actions, draining the affected storage tanks.

Nevertheless, the boil water alert will remain in effect for 48 hours, a company spokeswoman said. She said state regulations require that the water pass two tests that are taken a day apart. The first will be taken Tuesday, the second Wednesday.

Once the water passes those tests, the alert will be lifted, the spokeswoman said.

Staff writer Dave Williams contributed to this report. Matthew Medsger is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 724-226-4675, mmedsger@tribweb.com or via Twitter @matthew_medsger.