Boil water advisory continues for residents in parts of Jeannette, Penn Township

Repairs to a water main break that affected service in parts of Jeannette and Penn Township have been completed, but residents should continue to boil their water before drinking as a precaution.

The break was reported at 7:30 a.m. on Monday in a 6-inch concrete line on Green Street, Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County spokesman Matt Junker said. The break caused a loss in water pressure.

There are 984 customers affected in Jeannette’s Arlington section and neighboring Penn Township. Affected customers were notified by phone. A map on the authority’s website shows the boil water notice applies to customers between Ridge Road in the north and a small section of Harrison Avenue in the south. To see a map of what locations should boil water, click here.

Water buffaloes and a limited amount of bottled water is available at Grandview Volunteer Fire Department at 1655 Ridge Road in the township. Contaminants may have entered the water lines as a result of the break so customers should boil tap water for drinking, making ice, washing dishes, brushing teeth and food preparation.

The Centers for Disease Control said boiling water for one minute will kill any harmful bacteria, parasites or viruses from drinking water. Those organisms can cause illness.

Untreated tap water should not be consumed when bathing, according to the CDC. Doing laundry is safe. Pets should not drink water that hasn’t been boiled, but it is safe for gardening.

After the repairs are complete, two tests must show the water is free of contaminants before the notice is lifted, Junker said.

“They have to be consecutive, so it takes a couple days,” he said.