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Boil advisory lifted after three water main breaks in 36 hours in Washington Co.

CHARLEROI, Pa. — UPDATE 12:30 p.m.

The Borough of Charleroi has listed the boil advisory that's been in effect since Thursday.

“After three days of water sampling, all sample results have been received by the Authority and all tested negative for any bacteria or other microorganisms,” said Chad Warfield, the Authority’s Director of Operations.

ORIGINAL STORY:

A landslide has broken a water main that already broke twice Tuesday.

It's the same line that has lead to a boil water advisory for people living in Monessen, Charleroi and Speers.

The water was turned off for about 15 to 20 minutes Wednesday afternoon, according to the Water Authority.

Water buffaloes are available at the following locations:

  • Speers Borough Building
  • Monessen Fire Department #1
  • Charleroi Fire Department
  • N. Charleroi Fire Department

TRENDING NOW:

About 3,000 customers are impacted and are using the water buffaloes, including 90-year-old Irene Sarran.

"You need it for your teeth. You need it for almost everything.  You don't realize how much you need water until something like this happens," Sarran said.

A break in a transmission line was repaired, but because there was a loss of positive pressure in parts of the distribution system, the Charleroi Water Authority is advising customers to boil the water first as a precaution, because it's possible that there are disease-causing organisms in the water.

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The Department of Environmental Protection will test the water quality Wednesday and Thursday to ensure the water is safe to drink. Once the Water Authority receives confirmation that the water is safe, the advisory will be lifted.

The original break was repaired Tuesday evening, but officials in the community said it ruptured again.

There is no timetable for when the water will be turned back on.

ATTENTION MONESSEN RESIDENTS! The Authority of the Borough of Charleroi has issued. BOIL WATER ADVISORY effective...

Posted by Mayor Matt Shorraw, Monessen on Tuesday, February 12, 2019