DRINKING WATER ADVISORY: Pennsylvania American Water Issues Boil Water Advisory for Customers in Norristown Water System

DRINKING WATER ADVISORY

PENNSYLVANIA AMERICAN WATER ISSUES BOIL WATER ADVISORY FOR CUSTOMERS IN NORRISTOWN WATER SYSTEM

HIERVAN EL AGUA ANTES DE USARLA.
ESTE INFORME CONTIENE INFORMACION IMPORTANTE ACERCA DE SU AGUA POTABLE, HAGA QUE ALGUIEN LO TRADUZCA PARA USTED, O HABLE CON ALGUIEN QUE LO

NORRISTOWN, Pa. (Oct. 12, 2020) -- Pennsylvania American Water today issued a boil water advisory for all customers in its Norristown water system. Approximately 33,500 customers are affected.

Pennsylvania American Water experienced a drop in positive water pressure due to a water main break this morning. As a result, there is an increased chance that the water might contain disease-causing organisms. Crews have isolated the main break, and water pressure is currently being restored to all customers.

This notice applies to all Pennsylvania American Water customers in its Norristown system, which includes the boroughs of Norristown and Bridgeport and portions of West Norriton, East Norriton, Upper Merion, Plymouth, Lower Providence, Whitpain, Worcester, Whitemarsh and Perkiomen townships. For a searchable map of the affected area, visit https://paaw.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=da66fc98a172490fa4eb39a34ddd0816.

DO NOT DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST. Bring all water to a rolling boil, let it boil for one minute, and cool before using; or use bottled water. You should use boil or bottled water for drinking, making ice, washing dishes, brushing teeth and food preparation until further notice. 

Inadequately treated water may contain disease-causing organisms. These organisms include bacteria, viruses and parasites, which can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea and associated headaches.

These symptoms are not caused only by organisms in drinking water, but also by other factors. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, you may wish to consult with your health care provider. People with severely compromised immune systems, infants and some elderly may be at increased risk. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers.

General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

What is being done?

Pennsylvania American Water crews have isolated the main break, and water pressure is currently being restored to all customers. Pennsylvania American Water will collect and analyze additional water quality samples including bacteria samples.

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 section. For more information, contact Pennsylvania American Water’s customer service center at (800) 565-7292. 

For more information on Boil Water Advisories visit:  https://amwater.com/paaw/water-quality/what-is-a-boil-water-advisory.                                                                 

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

Pennsylvania American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately 2.4 million people. With a history dating back to 1886, American Water is the largest and most geographically diverse U.S. publicly traded water and wastewater utility company. The company employs more than 6,800 dedicated professionals who provide regulated and market-based drinking water, wastewater and other related services to 15 million people in 46 states. American Water provides safe, clean, affordable and reliable water services to our customers to make sure we keep their lives flowing. For more information, visit amwater.com and follow American Water on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

MEDIA CONTACT: Laura Martin
Pennsylvania American Water
M: 304-932-7158
Laura.martin@amwater.com

PWS ID Number: PA 1460046                                                           Date issued: Oct. 12, 2020                                                             

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