Mary Lou Ernest of Oakmont left her apartment Tuesday morning so she could use the bathroom down the street at the Riverview Community Action Corp.
She said she had to because all of the residents living in Munroe Tower, a 62-and-older affordable housing apartment complex, have been advised to not flush their toilets or drain any water down the pipes. The building is at 101 Delaware Ave. in Oakmont.
“They told us not to take showers, flush toilets or put water down the drain,” Ernest said. “My apartment is starting to smell.”
Ernest said she received written notification from Munroe management Sunday alerting all residents to the plumbing situation.
The apartment complex, built in 1981, is owned by a private company, The Michaels Organization. It features 100 one-bedroom residences and advertises that it has 24/7 onsite maintenance as an amenity.
The letter said there were issues with some pipes in the pump room. It said a plumber had been called but repairs might take a few days.
“I heard they’re waiting for parts,” said Ernest, 70, a resident of four years. “I can’t flush my toilet or at least I’m not supposed to. I hope it gets fixed soon.”
Residents were instructed to not call the office, as no additional information was available. They were told the issue occurred Sunday and is “possibly related to the outside freezing temperatures.”
Another letter issued to residents Monday by Munroe Tower management, obtained by TribLive from Oakmont Borough officials, instructs residents to not run any water in their apartment unless they are putting the water into a container.
“Since people are continually taking showers, using their sink drains and flushing their toilets, it is going to take longer to have these repairs done,” the letter reads. “This is the fault of the people who are using their toilets. Also, the reason the pumps are broken is because of people not following the rules of the building.”
The letter concluded with a request that residents not call the office to inquire about the repairs and says management will advise residents when the repairs are done.
A TribLive call to Munroe Tower management Tuesday was not returned.
The letter confirms water was not shut off in the building so residents still have have access to drinking water.
A TribLive reporter visiting the complex Tuesday morning was not allowed inside, and management said they were not allowed to comment.
Oakmont Borough Manager Scot Fodi confirmed Tuesday the ongoing plumbing issue but said Munroe Apartments had not contacted the borough.
“We’re not involved, and I received two screenshots (of letters from management) from tenants this morning,” Fodi said Tuesday.
