Residents told to boil their water

Borough announces possible contamination due to leak in distribution system

AVONDALE » As if they didn’t have enough to worry about with the water pipes that run by the fallen State Street Bridge, the borough announced Monday that residents should boil their drinking water because it may be contaminated.

The borough put out a notice that they routinely monitor the conditions in the water distribution system. On Oct. 2 they experienced a loss of water pressure due to a leak.

When the pressure goes down,

it’s an indication that there

is a leak somewhere, and with the leak could come the infusion of bacteria, viruses, parasites and other disease-causing organisms.

The announcement did

not say the organisms had been found, only that a leak means something could get in.

In capital letters, the message from the borough

was this: “Avondale Borough water customers: Drinking water warning: Boil your water before using.”

The warning went on to

say that residents should use boiled or bottled water for drinking, making ice, washing dishes, brushing teeth and food preparation. Otherwise, the users of contaminated water run the risk of nausea, cramps, diarrhea and headaches.

The symptoms, however, may not be caused by the drinking water, but also by other factors. People who experience the symptoms should contact their doctor. Additionally, people with severely compromised immune systems, infants and the elderly are at increased risk.

The borough message said 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.

The borough has been dealing with the difficulties of the water pipes ever since the decision to repair the State Street Bridge was made earlier this year.

Then in August, in the midst of the repairs, the bridge collapsed under the weight of a front-end loader that was on top, exacerbating the situation.

As residents watched what seemed like inaction for the next month, they were told that the water pipes, sewage plant and gas line had to be addressed before they start building the roadway over Indian Run Road, because they are all perilously close to the bridge.

In fact, in the public warning, the borough officials admitted the loss of pressure was due to the pipe repair work. They said they are going to be taking bacteria samples on two consecutive days.

Until residents receive a notice that the problem has been corrected, they are told to continue boiling their water or obtain bottled water.

For more information, call licensed water operator Floyd Jennelle Jr. at 484-955-9749.

It is important that people who did not receive the warning initially get the information.

The borough communication says this: “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.”