The PWSA announced that water service disrupted by a major water main break Sunday in the East End should be restored by mid-morning Tuesday and that the first round of testing found no contaminants.
The break in the 20-inch water main could have contaminated drinking water in eight Pittsburgh neighborhoods — and residents have been under a boil-water advisory as a precaution.
A notice from the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority said: “Repairs are continuing 24/7 on Centre Avenue (South Negley Avenue – South Euclid Avenue).” Centre will remain closed to all traffic, including pedestrians, until repairs to the street are made, the notice said.
The authority said that the first round of bacteriological tests have been analyzed, “and there is no detection of any contaminants.” Another round of testing is required before the boil advisory can be lifted.
There will be no water service in that area until repairs are complete.
“When there is high pressure, there is no opportunity for pathogens to enter the pipe.” PWSA employees are testing the area’s water to ensure it is safe, Mr. Pickering said, and so far all of the tested water has been adequately disinfected.
The earliest that testing could conclude would be Tuesday evening, he said.
Crews began to repair the water main break Sunday and will continue Monday, he said.
PWSA has placed water tanks at the intersections of Centre and South Negley avenues, as well as at Centre and Euclid avenues, he said.
Robert Weimar, PWSA’s interim executive director, apologized for the inconvenience to customers on Sunday and said in a statement that there was no sign of any contamination to the water supply.