Due to emergency events such as large water main breaks or power outages, a complete water pressure loss in parts of our water distribution system may occur. In such cases, contaminants can enter the drinking water, which requires us to issue a precautionary boil water advisory to protect the health and safety of our customers.

During boil water advisories, PWSA makes available a searchable map of the impacted area on this web page. This page exists in addition to information delivered through robocalls, news releases, and our verified social media accounts.

We may not have updated contact information associated with your home or business. PWSA strongly advises customers to keep their contact information up to date by using our convenient webform or calling Customer Service at 412-255-2423 (press 5). Adding contact information to an account is available for property owners and tenants.

Customers are advised to contact our 24/7 Dispatch at 412-255-2423 (press 1) or reach out to us via social media so we can verify whether your address is impacted.

The advisory applies to water used for consumption only. Customers within the impacted area should do the following before using water for drinking, making ice, washing dishes, brushing teeth, and food preparation until further notice:

1. Boil tap water vigorously for at least one minute prior to using it for drinking or cooking (the minute starts when the water begins to bubble). This includes water used for brushing teeth, making ice, washing raw foods, preparation of drinks, and water for pets.
2. Wait for the water to cool before using it, or store it in the refrigerator in a clean container.

Boiling kills harmful bacteria in the water that may cause illness. You should throw away ice made during the time the advisory or notice was issued, as freezing does not kill bacteria.

The water is safe for washing dishes, but you should use hot, soapy water (you may add one tablespoon of bleach per gallon as a precaution) and rinse dishes in boiled water. There are no restrictions on doing laundry. The water is also safe for bathing during a boil water advisory.

Most point-of-use (POU) filters are designed to improve the aesthetics of water (taste and odor), not remove harmful bacteria. You can learn about the capability of your filter by contacting the manufacturer or NSF International, an independent testing group located in Ann Arbor, Michigan (Ph. 1-800-673-8010). If in doubt, you should boil your water.

Yes. PWSA’s Operations team delivers and refills potable water buffalos to strategic locations throughout the boil water advisory area. Customers are required to bring their own container/s to a buffalo location to fill up. However, PWSA strongly encourages all customers to always keep an emergency supply of water on hand as a means of emergency preparation. Water buffalo locations are kept up to date on this web page.

Please call our 24/7 Dispatch at 412-255-2423 (press 1) and we will do our best to accommodate with our emergency supply of bottled water.

PWSA tests for total coliforms, which is a group of bacteria known as an indicator of microbial contamination.

The boil water advisory is being issued as a precautionary measure.

Until the precautionary boil water advisory is lifted, you should not drink the water without flushing and boiling it first. Especially young children, some of the elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems should not drink the water until it is deemed safe to drink. Symptoms of illness caused by bacteria in the water may include diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. Please note that these symptoms are not caused only by organisms in drinking water. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, you may want to seek medical advice.

With the help of our customers, PWSA obtains water samples from locations throughout the boil water advisory impact area. After we’ve obtained the required samples, they are sent to the lab. Following two consecutive rounds of water quality testing that does not show any evidence of microbial contamination, PWSA will immediately alert customers that their water is safe to drink.

PWSA keeps customers informed via robocalls, pgh2o.com, news releases, and our verified social media accounts. Customers with specific questions can call our 24/7 Dispatch at 412-255-2423 (press 1).