PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Water cooler conversation had a different meaning in Bethel Park Tuesday, as customers of Pennsylvania American Water were filling their containers at a water buffalo.
Some people were there before daylight.
“We figure, let’s get there before everybody else,” said Rita Belback, who lives in Bethel Park, “…and how precious that water is, that’s the whole thing.” Bethel Park is one of six locations where water buffaloes were placed, to provide water for the customers affected by the Boil Water Advisory.
Several restaurants in the area were closed.
Al Taffel stopped by the water buffalo to get water for his four restaurants.
“Today, we have to figure out how to wash dishes and things like that,” Taffel told KDKA’s Lisa Washington, “but the important thing is keep hands washed and gloving up when handling the food.” In Jefferson Hills, Jim Ross needed water for his pets.
“This is for my dogs,” Ross said.
Pennsylvania American Water did their first test Monday night.
Until the advisory has been lifted, Pennsylvania American Water customers should boil their water for one minute and let it cool, before using it.
“I put two pots of water on the stove right away…a couple big pots and I put them in the refrigerator to cool them down,” Belback said.

UPPER ST. CLAIR, PA – Upper St. Clair is one of more than 50 communities in Allegheny and Washington counties that is under a boil water advisory until further notice.
The Pennsylvania American Water Company, which issued the advisory late Monday, said samples taken Monday had high turbidity levels that increase chances the water might contain disease-causing organisms.
Penn American is advising the 100,000 customers affected by the advisory to bring all water to a boil for at least one minute and let it cool before using, or use bottled water.
Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water.
Turbidity may indicate the presence of disease-causing organisms.
These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can trigger nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches.
Pennsylvania American Water is taking corrective actions, including draining its affected water storage tanks, to address the issue.
The problem is expected to be resolved by Tuesday evening.
Pennsylvania American Water has a water tanker available at the Upper St Clair Community & Recreation Center on Mayview Road.Residents should bring their own containers when visiting a tanker for drinking water.
Subscribe The boil water advisory applies to the following communities: Allegheny County Bethel Park Clairton Dravosburg Elizabeth Township Elizabeth Borough Glassport Jefferson Jefferson Hills Borough Liberty Lincoln North Fayette South Fayette South Park Upper Saint Clair West Elizabeth

This warning applies to approximately 100,000 customers in the following municipalities: Click here for a complete map.
Bring all water to a boil, let it boil for one minute, and let it cool before using, or use bottled water.
Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water.
Turbidity may indicate the presence of disease-causing organisms.
These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers.
The symptoms above are not caused only by organisms in drinking water.
To ease inconvenience, Pennsylvania American Water has water tankers available at the following locations: Bethel Park Community Center: 5151 Park Ave, Bethel Park, PA 15102 Jefferson Hills Borough Police Department: 925 Old Clairton Rd, Jefferson Hills, PA 15025 South Fayette Township Library: 515 Millers Run Rd, Morgan, PA 15064 South Park Township Library: 2575 Brownsville Rd, South Park Township, PA 15129 Upper St Clair Community & Recreation Center: 1551 Mayview Rd, Upper St Clair, PA 15241 Customers should bring their own containers when visiting a tanker for drinking water.
What happened?
Pennsylvania American Water is collecting and analyzing additional water quality samples, including bacteria samples.
For more information, visit our Web site at www.pennsylvaniaamwater.com, and select Alerts Notification, or contact Pennsylvania American Water’s customer service center at 800-565-7292.

About 100,000 Pennsylvania American Water Company customers southwest of Pittsburgh are being asked not to drink or cook any water straight from the tap for the next 48 hours.
Penn American shared the news on its website around 5 p.m. Monday.
The water is safe for bathing and washing clothes, according to the post.
Affected communities in Allegheny County include Bethel Park, Clairton, Dravosburg, Elizabeth Township, Elizabeth Borough, Glassport, Jefferson, Jefferson Hills Borough, Liberty, Lincoln, North Fayette, South Fayette, South Park, Upper Saint Clair and West Elizabeth, as well as 41 others in Washington County.
Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water, officials said.
Penn American reported that water samples taken earlier in the day from portions of its Allegheny and Washington county service areas showed cloudiness levels above the regulatory standard, which carries an increased risk for disease-causing organisms.
"We anticipate resolving the problem by this (Monday) evening," wrote Walters.
"Pennsylvania American Water is collecting and analyzing additional water quality samples, including bacteria samples.
We will inform you when tests show no bacteria and you no longer need to boil your water."
Another 100,000 PWSA customers in the East End faced one after disinfection and chlorine testing in January near the Highland Park filtration plant tested abnormally.

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — About 100,000 customers in Allegheny and Washington counties are under a boil water advisory until further notice.
A boil water advisory has been issued for the following areas:
Over in Washington County, Trinity Area School District officials say classes will go on as scheduled during the Boil Water Advisory.
But, because of the advisory, it was not quite business as usual.
North Franklin is one of more than three dozen communities in Washington County under a boil water advisory.
“We wanted to be careful, so we hurried and shut our water off.
We want to make certain we can provide our customers with clean water,” Merashoff said.
Animals are also being impacted by the advisory.
The shelter has placed large bins out front where donations of gallons or bottled water can be dropped off.
If you can donate gallons or bottled water please drop off at shelter anytime tonight or tomorrow.

About 100,000 customers in the Bethel Park area are under a 48-hour flush and boil advisory for all water used for drinking and cooking.
The Bethel Park Police Department shared the news on Facebook around 5 p.m. Monday.
The water, provided by Pennsylvania American Water Company, is safe for bathing and washing clothes, according to the post.
Prior flush and boil advisories have suggested residents in affected areas flush taps by running water for at least one minute and then boil water for one minute and let it cool before using it for drinking, food prep, washing dishes or brushing teeth.
Bethel Park police said a water buffalo tank will be located at the local Community Center parking lot on Park Avenue for residents’ use.
KDKA reported water samples taken earlier in the day from portions of Penn American’s Allegheny and Washington county service areas showed cloudiness levels above the regulatory standard, which carries in increased risk for disease.
Water problems have persisted region-wide this year.
An estimated 18,000 homes serviced by the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority in Pittsburgh’s northern neighborhoods, Millvale and Reserve Township endured an advisory for several days in August.
Another 100,000 PWSA customers in the East End faced one after disinfection and chlorine testing in January near the Highland Park filtration plant tested abnormally.

BETHEL PARK, Pa. — The Pennsylvania American Water Company (PAWC) has issued a 48-hour boil water advisory for 55 communities in Allegheny and Washington counties.
Residents of impacted communities should bring all water to a boil, let it boil for one minute, and let it cool before using, or use bottled water.
Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and food preparation until further notice.
Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water.
According to PAWC, turbidity has no health effects.
Turbidity may indicate the presence of disease-causing organisms.
People with severely compromised immune systems, infants, and some elderly may be at increased risk.
These people should seek advice from their health care providers about drinking water.
Turbidity is the cloudiness or haziness of a fluid caused by suspended solids that are usually invisible to the naked eye.
It is a key test of water quality.

Pennsylvania American Water said Monday that it is advising several communities in Allegheny and Washington to boil their water before consumption due to high turbidity, or cloudiness, in the water supply.
The company said the warning applies to approximately 100,000 customers.
In a statement, Pennsylvania American Water said it is taking corrective actions, including draining its affected water storage tanks.
“We anticipate resolving the problem by this evening,” the statement said.
Here are the affected communities:
● Bethel Park ● Clairton ● Dravosburg ● Elizabeth Township ● Elizabeth Borough ● Glassport ● Jefferson ● Jefferson Hills Borough ● Liberty ● Lincoln ● North Fayette ● South Fayette ● South Park ● Upper Saint Clair ● West Elizabeth
● Amwell ● Avella ● Buffalo ● Burgettstown ● Canton ● Canonsburg ● Caroll Township ● Cecil Township ● Chartiers ● City of Washington ● Claysville ● Cross Creek ● Donegal Township ● East Washington ● Fallowfield ● Finleyville ● Frankfort Springs ● Forward Township ● Green Hills Borough ● Independence ● Hanover ● Hopewell ● Houston ● Jefferson ● McDonald ● Midway ● Monongahela ● Mount Pleasant ● New Eagle ● North Franklin ● North Strabane ● Nottingham ● Peters Township ● Robinson Township ● Smith Township ● Somerset Township ● South Franklin ● South Strabane ● Union Township ● West Middletown According to a statement from the company, turbidity “has no health effects,” but “can interfere with disinfection and provide a medium for microbial growth” and indicate “the presence of disease-causing organisms.” Bacteria, viruses and parasites can cause symptoms such as “nausea, cramps, diarrhea and associated headaches,” the release said.
Boil water for at least one minute and let it cool.
The alternative is to use bottled water.
Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes and food preparation until further notice.

BETHEL PARK, Pa. — The Pennsylvania American Water Company (PAWC) has issued a 48-hour boil water advisory for 55 communities in Allegheny and Washington counties.
Residents of impacted communities should bring all water to a boil, let it boil for one minute, and let it cool before using, or use bottled water.
Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and food preparation until further notice.
Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water.
According to PAWC, turbidity has no health effects.
Turbidity may indicate the presence of disease-causing organisms.
People with severely compromised immune systems, infants, and some elderly may be at increased risk.
These people should seek advice from their health care providers about drinking water.
Turbidity is the cloudiness or haziness of a fluid caused by suspended solids that are usually invisible to the naked eye.
It is a key test of water quality.

LOWER PROVIDENCE >> Pennsylvania American Water today issued a precautionary boil water advisory for customers in portions of Lower Providence Township following loss of water pressure in one of its storage tanks.
Pennsylvania American Water experienced a loss in positive water pressure on October 5, due to an issue at one of its storage tanks. As a result, there is an increased chance that the water might contain disease-causing organisms.
DO NOT DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST.
These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers.
Pennsylvania American Water crews have corrected the issue and restored water pressure to the storage tank.
We will inform you when the corrective actions have been completed and you no longer need to boil your water. This information will also be provided on Pennsylvania American Water’s website at www.pennsylvaniaamwater.com, under the Alerts Notifications section.