Problems that led to PWSA boil water advisory traced to bird and animal droppings at reservoir, officials say.
Tens of thousands of residents in Pittsburgh’s northern neighborhoods are under a “boil water” advisory Tuesday morning after concerns were raised about possible contamination of the Lanpher Reservoir in Shaler.
Water stations will be set up — at locations to be announced Tuesday morning — for residents who cannot boil water.
Mayor Bill Peduto, in a late-night news conference with PWSA interim director Bob Weimar, stressed that the advisory was being issued “out of an abundance of caution” after some tests showed potential contamination on Friday.
And they cannot be protected from birds and animals, which can cause perforations, Mr. Weimar said.
The reservoir is made up of two cells — a smaller east cell and the larger west cell, the cover of which is in worse shape.
“We will not be able to solve the problems at PWSA in a few years.
There are numerous issues and if one thing goes down within this authority, the potential of not having water in this city is very real.
We want to be able, in the next 12 years, to provide a system of safe drinking water that will take us to 2080.
It doesn’t come easy and it won’t be solved in less than 10 years.” Customers with questions on the advisory can visit www.pgh2o.com or call the authority’s customer service line at 412-255-2423.