The Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County is asking residents in the Lower 10th Ward of McKeesport to not use the tap water after firefighting foam may have been sucked into a fire hydrant as crews battled a blaze at McKeesport Auto Body on Friday night.
According to an advisory posted on the municipal authority’s website early Saturday morning, the foam contains synthetic chemicals and glycol, which can be a serious health concern when found in drinking water.
The advisory impacts about 500 residents of McKeesport, officials said.
The incident stems from a fire that broke out in the 600 block of McKeesport’s Rebecca Street around 5:15 p.m. Friday, according to an Allegheny County 911 dispatching supervisor. At the time, the supervisor said no one was entrapped in the building.
Allegheny County Public Safety officials reported the fire was sparked by a downed power line. Involved utilities were notified.
Firefighters remained at the scene after 11:30 p.m. A dispatch supervisor Saturday morning said the scene was cleared.
Additional information regarding the fire was not immediately available.
According to The Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County, officials have isolated the impacted area and are testing the water to determine next steps. As a precaution, the municipal authority starting a flushing program to purge the system.
“We are changing out the water in the Lower 10th Ward as a precaution,” resident Manager Michael F. Kukura said in a news release. “Our information and expertise indicate that flushing will remove firefighting foam constituents, if present. There’s no reason to wait for test results to flush.”
Flushing will take place in a phased sequence throughout the day Saturday.
As the advisory remains in place, residents should not boil, freeze or filter the water because it will not reduce the level of chemicals that may be present.
Residents are encouraged to use bottled water for drinking, bathing, hand washing, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, cooking or preparing food until further notice.
Water buffaloes are also located at both ends of Atlantic Avenue, at the sewage plant and at R & W Oil. Bottled water in also available at McKeesport Fire Department Station 1, located at 201 Lysle Blvd.
Residents will be advised as events continue to develop.
