Kiski Area plans 2nd virtual day because of water main break; boil water advisory issued

Students in the Kiski Area School District will have a second virtual instruction day Tuesday because of water issues, the district announced.

The district went from a two-hour delay Monday to a virtual day because officials said buildings in the district were impacted by a break in a 12-inch line along Route 356 near Northmoreland Park in Allegheny Township.

On its website, the district said students should follow the same schedule Tuesday as they did Monday.

“We recognize that this is not an ideal situation, but this additional day will provide the district with time to empty the waterlines and for the township to test the water,” the district said in a post on its Facebook page.

A break was reported and repaired Sunday afternoon, Matthew Junker, spokesman for the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County, said in a statement.

“When it was turned on after the repair, another break occurred,” he said. “While repairs are anticipated to be complete Monday afternoon, a loss of positive pressure may have been experienced in sections of the system.”

The municipal authority issued a precautionary boil water advisory for parts of Allegheny Township and all of its customers in Hyde Park, Leechburg and West Leechburg.

A loss of positive pressure during a water main break can allow contamination to enter the distribution system, increasing the chance water might contain disease-causing organisms.

There is no indication of when the advisory will be over.

District officials did not immediately respond to questions about reopening. They have advised parents to continue checking the district website, social media and alerts for updates.