Power Surge Triggers Boil Water Advisory for 95,000 Pennsylvania Customers
Pittsburgh, Saturday, 7 February 2026.
A critical infrastructure failure following a power surge has forced Pennsylvania American Water to issue a boil advisory for approximately 95,000 customers in Allegheny and Washington counties. With system pressure compromised, the utility warns of potential contamination risks, creating immediate operational disruptions for households and businesses across the Pittsburgh metropolitan area.
Operational Failures and Infrastructure Impact
The service disruption stems from a cascade of infrastructure failures centered in Elrama, Washington County, which have compromised the integrity of the regional water distribution system. According to Pennsylvania American Water (PAW), a subsidiary of American Water Works Company (NYSE: AWK), a power surge early Saturday morning depleted water storage levels at a tank servicing the Aldrich Water Treatment Plant [1][2]. This depletion resulted in a loss of positive pressure throughout the network, a condition that technically necessitates a boil advisory because it creates a vacuum effect, potentially allowing contaminants to enter the system through backflow or back siphonage [2]. Compounding the logistical challenges, a massive 48-inch water main break was reported nearby on Elrama Avenue at approximately 11:25 PM on Friday, causing significant physical damage to the local Elrama Volunteer Fire Company facilities [3].
Scope of Advisory and Public Health Protocols
The advisory encompasses a vast geographic footprint, affecting approximately 95,000 customers across Allegheny and Washington counties [1]. The impacted zone includes dense residential and commercial municipalities such as Bethel Park, Upper Saint Clair, Canonsburg, and the City of Washington [1]. For the regional economy, particularly the hospitality and healthcare sectors, this mandates strict adherence to safety protocols to mitigate liability and health risks. PAW has instructed that all water intended for consumption—specifically for drinking, making ice, washing dishes, brushing teeth, and food preparation—must be brought to a rolling boil for at least one minute prior to use [1][2]. The utility warns that inadequately treated water in this depressurized state may contain disease-causing organisms, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites, which can induce gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and cramps [1][2].
Restoration Timeline and Emergency Response
Restoration efforts are currently underway as utility crews address both the electrical and physical infrastructure deficits. While PAW reports that normal electrical service has been restored to the treatment facility, the timeline for full system normalization remains dependent on repressurization and water quality testing [2]. Emergency repairs on the 48-inch main break in Elrama are projected to take approximately 20 hours to complete from the time of assessment [3]. To mitigate the immediate shortage, emergency officials are working to stage water buffaloes in the affected areas, and Union Township officials have opened a warming center for impacted residents [3]. Customers seeking to verify their status can access digital mapping tools provided by the utility to determine if their specific address falls within the advisory zone [2].