Hundreds in McKeesport advised not to use water

Harmful firefighting chemicals feared

Hundreds of McKeesport residents were advised overnight Saturday to not use their tap water because it could be affected by harmful chemicals.

The Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County warned that firefighting foam containing dangerous chemicals may have been sucked into a water hydrant Friday as firefighters battled a blaze at an auto body shop. The advisory affected about 500 customers in McKeesport’s Lower 10th Ward.

This firefighting foam contains Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl, or PFAs), which are synthetic chemicals, and glycol.

While awaiting test results, the authority began flushing its water

system in the area, an operation that was to continue through Saturday.

“We are changing out the water in the Lower 10th Ward as a precaution,” the authority’s resident manager, Michael F. Kukura, said in a statement. “Our information and expertise indicate that flushing will remove firefighting foam constituents, if present. There’s no reason to waitfor test results to flush.”

Officials said affected residents should use bottled water or other sources for drinking, bathing, hand-washing, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, cooking or food preparation until furthernotice. They also warned residents not to boil water because it would not reduce the chemicalspresent.

Water buffaloes were set up on Atlantic Avenue, and bottled water was available at the fire station at Market Street and Lysle Boulevard, the authority said.

Water is being tested as officials say they are determining the next steps.