The Pennsylvania state prison in Fayette County is operating in “conserve water mode” after a water main break, officials said.
Officials at State Correctional Institute at Fayette were notified Wednesday of a boil-water advisory by Tri County Joint Municipal Water Authority, said Susan McNaughton, Department of Corrections spokesperson.
By Thursday night, a secondary source of water to the prison was established.
“It is to be noted that this supply line is 2 inches and our main line from Tri-County is a 10-inch line,” Ms. McNaughton said.
“Inmates were advised water was safe to drink.” Inmates have been provided bottled drinking water “as a precautionary measure,” and meals are being served on disposable plates, she said.
Inmates showered Wednesday and Friday and will continue a shower schedule “every other day until [water is] fully operational via [a] 10-inch line.” SCI-Fayette sits on 258 acres in the La Belle section of Luzerne Township.
According to the water authority’s website, the boil-water advisory remains in effect for the entire township while the repaired line is repressurized and flushed.
Ms. McNaughton said prison maintenance is continuing to monitor the situation and expects a return to normal operations mid-Monday or Tuesday morning.