East Dunkard Water Authority customers urged to boil water - WTAE Pittsburgh

East Dunkard Water Authority customers urged to boil water

DEP: East Dunkard Water Authority system not able to produce water after plant had 'breakdown in treatment'

Bottled water available; EDWA issues boil water advisory

Customers in parts of Greene County had no water service Wednesday.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection told Pittsburgh's Action News 4 that the East Dunkard Water Authority's plant experienced a breakdown in treatment, and that the system is not able to produce water at this time.

A boil water advisory had been issued, according to a notice on the EDWA website.

Classes in the Southeastern Greene School District were canceled Wednesday as water issues continued to affect customers serviced by the EDWA.

A Facebook post by the EDWA listed locations where water buffaloes and cases of bottled water would be available Wednesday.

There are more than 1,600 Dunkard Water Authority Customers. Residents told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 there was no warning.

“Frustrating. First, we are under a boil water advisory, and then, the next thing you know, we have no water to boil, and they are not letting anybody know what is going on,” David Garrison.

Garrison and others shared their concerns as they waited at water distribution locations.

“Two o'clock this morning, when I got up to go to the bathroom, I found out that there was no water,” Lisa Garrison.

The Pennsylvania DEP sent this statement to Pittsburgh's Action News 4:

East Dunkard Water Authority's (EDWA) plant experienced a breakdown in treatment. Its filters are currently inoperable, and the system is not able to produce water at this time. DEP did not order EDWA to shut down its plant.

DEP has been in regular contact with East Dunkard Water Authority, was on site throughout this week, and issued a field order on October 23, 2023 in response to a number of violations by EDWA. The order, among other things, requires EDWA issue a boil water advisory to its customers, which it did on Tuesday, and investigate the cause of increased turbidity. DEP suggested that the authority issue a mandatory conservation notification to customers, which it did yesterday. DEP issued an emergency permit for the authority to bring in bulk water for customers until the filters are back online.

It is DEP’s goal and priority that East Dunkard Water Authority customers receive ample, safe drinking water. DEP has taken a number of measures to compel EDWA to comply with state drinking water laws and regulations, including a petition to Commonwealth Court to enforce previous a DEP order, and will continue to do so.

Right now, it's unclear when the wa ter will be restored.

“What are we supposed to do? Are we supposed to move to a hotel? People can't afford that,” David Garrison said.

“I am frustrated because this situation has been ongoing for several years, decades, and it needs to get resolved,” Laura Sarapa said.