Boiling water advisory affecting 11,000 customers in Montgomery County: East Norriton, Whitpain Plymouth, Norristown

NORRISTOWN, Pennsylvania (WPVI) – A boiling water advisory has been issued for parts of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.

This advisory affects approximately 11,000 Pennsylvania American Water customers in the towns of East Norriton, Whitpain and Plymouth, and parts of the Norristown Borough. A map of the area can be viewed here.

Pennsylvania American Water said a major rupture in Norristown resulted in a loss of positive water pressure, which it said was “a signal of the existence of conditions that could allow contamination to enter the distribution system through the distribution system.” through reverse flow by back pressure or back siphon.”

The water company is telling residents in the affected areas not to drink pre-boil water.

Officials said the water could be used for bathing, washing and other common purposes.

Pennsylvania American Water said it is working to fix the main failure.

The company is also collecting and further analyzing water quality samples including bacterial samples.

Pennsylvania American Water is providing water tankers at three locations:

– Household goods: 1301 Skippack Pk, Blue Bell

– East Norriton Twp PD: 2501 Stanbridge St, Norristown

– Norriton Fire Engine Company: 656 W. Germantown Pk, Norristown

Customers should bring their own container(s) for filling.

Pennsylvania American Water has released the following information to affected residents:

Bring all the water to a boil, let it boil for one minute and let it cool before using; or use bottled water. You should use boiled or bottled water for drinking, making ice, washing dishes, brushing teeth and preparing food until further notice.

Water that is not properly treated can contain disease-causing organisms. These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites, which can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches.

However, these symptoms are not only caused by organisms in the drinking water but also by other factors. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, you may want to seek medical advice.

Guardians of infants and young children and those at higher risk, such as pregnant women, certain elderly people and those with severely compromised immune systems, should seek advice from their health care advisors about drinking this water. General guidelines on how to reduce the risk of bacterial contamination are available at the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1 (800) 426 4791.