A power problem that knocked out pressure at a local storage tank has Pennsylvania American Water telling part of Clairton to put the kettle on before turning on the tap. The utility has issued a boil-water advisory for roughly 1,500 customer connections in the city’s Valley district after the tank lost positive pressure, and is warning residents not to drink unboiled tap water until further notice. Customers are being told to use boiled or bottled water for drinking, making ice, washing dishes, brushing teeth, and preparing food until testing shows the system is safe again.
As reported by WTAE, Pennsylvania American Water said in a release that the trouble started when a booster pump station lost power, causing the pressure drop that triggered the advisory. The company said the affected area is limited to Clairton’s Valley district and that customers there will be notified directly when the advisory is lifted. The release also pointed residents to the utility’s 24/7 customer line, 1-800-565-7292, for information and updates.
Officials are reminding customers that during a boil-water advisory, tap water should be brought to a rolling boil for at least one full minute before it is used for drinking, cooking, or other food preparation, or residents should stick to bottled water instead. Any ice and food made with tap water during the advisory should be thrown out, according to Pennsylvania American Water’s guidance. Customers with questions or concerns are being directed to call 1-800-565-7292.
What caused the advisory
The utility told reporters that a power loss at the booster pump station led to the storage tank losing positive pressure. A drop in positive pressure is treated as a warning sign that contaminants could find their way into the distribution system, so Pennsylvania American Water issued the precautionary boil-water notice while crews handle repairs and water quality testing, WTAE reported.
Local context
The Mon Valley system has already had a rough year with pressure issues. In February, a power surge near the E.H. Aldrich (Elrama) treatment complex set off a much larger boil-water notice that affected about 95,000 customers across Allegheny and Washington counties, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The utility has since announced upgrades at the Elrama/Aldrich site aimed at improving reliability, a project highlighted in April coverage.
For Clairton, the current advisory will stay in place until corrective work is completed and bacteriological testing shows the distribution system is clear, a process that can take several days. Residents are being urged to track updates from Pennsylvania American Water and local media, and to call 1-800-565-7292 to report any water problems or to get the latest information.
