Boil water advisory in effect for more than 50 communities

Pennsylvania America Water issued a boil water advisory for communities in Allegheny and Washington counties.

The advisory applies to around 100,000 customers and the estimated time frame for the advisory is 48 hours.

DOWNLOAD THE WPXI NEWS APP FOR BREAKING NEWS ALERTS

The communities that are under the advisory have high turbidity levels, which means cloudiness in the water, according to Pennsylvania American Water. They said because of the high levels of turbidity, there's an increased chance of disease-causing organisms in the water.

PHOTOS: Boil advisory issued for more than 50 communities

Customers are asked not to drink or cook with the water without boiling it first.

After bringing the water to a boil, let it boil for one minute and let it cool before using. The boiled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes and food preparation.

The following communities are under the advisory:

ALLEGHENY COUNTY 

• Bethel Park
• Clairton
• Dravosburg
• Elizabeth Township
• Elizabeth Borough
• Glassport
• Jefferson Hills Borough
• Liberty
• Lincoln
• South Fayette
• South Park
• Upper Saint Clair
• West Elizabeth

WASHINGTON COUNTY 

• 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

Jefferson Hospital released the following statement regarding the boil advisory:

"We are following all appropriate And standard water precautions in response to the boil water advisory, including use of bottled water only for consumption and food preparation.  All precautions will be in place until the advisory is lifted."

South Allegheny School District canceled school Tuesday due to the advisory.

Several other districts including Upper St. Clair, South Park, Canon Mac and Bethel Park had planned parent teacher conference days but have bottled water ready.

Trinity and Peters townships will still have school, but will be monitoring the situation and shutting down drinking fountains and not using water to prepare food.

Channel 11 News was in Bethel Park, one of 55 communities dealing with this water boil advisory.

"My biggest worry is they tell us 48 hours and is it really gonna be clean in 48 hours?" Jason Pavuk, a Bethel Park parent, said.

The Pavuk family is taking the necessary precautions. They've stocked up on jugs, boiling tap water, and are giving some extra care to Jason's collection of reptiles.

"Even something as simple as changing their water. If it has nastiness in it, it could really affect them,” Pavuk said.

Channel 11 New was there as people searched local stores for water. We learned quickly it was hard to come by inside of the Bethel Park Giant Eagle.

"My wife told me to pick up some bottled water. Couldn't find any. This is my fourth stop!" Harry Kainaroy, of Bethel Park, said.

TRENDING NOW:

• Bond denied for ex-boyfriend of murdered Pitt student
• 'Defenseless people': Gunman kills 26 at South Texas church
• Chelsea Handler's tweet about Texas church shooting draws ire
• VIDEO: Woman Punched In Face While Being Removed From Football Game

Cox Media Group