Boil water advisory affecting thousands in Beaver County
A large water main broke in Beaver Falls at the intersection of 26th Street and 10th Avenue around 2:30pm on Labor Day.
A 24-inch main line leaked, impacting about 8,000 people in the area.
“When the leak occurred, we went to zero pressure in the city of Beaver Falls. We had residents without water from 3 p.m. to 6 a.m. As a result of that, we are required to do a precautionary boil water advisory for Beaver Falls and Eastvale,” said Jim Riggio, general manager of Beaver Falls Municipal Authority.
The loss of water pressure could allow for contamination, so the precautionary boil water advisory was also extended to Chippewa.
The break has been fixed and the water is back on. However, it still must be tested before can people use it.
In the meantime, those affected communities are advised not to use or drink the water without boiling it first until further notice.
Residents are able to get water at the Beaver Falls Water Authority’s building along Eighth Avenue.
Good evening, this is the Big Beaver Falls Area School District. We have been notified by the Beaver Falls Municipal...
Posted by Big Beaver Falls Area School District on Monday, September 5, 2022
The break has caused some businesses to close along Main Street on Tuesday, including Oram’s Donut Shop.
“Small businesses are struggling as it is. I mean, that’s their bread and butter and they have to close for a day because of (the) water main break,” said Lawrence Schutte, who works at Reeniko’s Sports Bar and Grill.
Reeniko’s restaurant, however, managed to stay open today for its customers.
“We are going to boil the water, let it boil for about 10 to 15 minutes, and then put ice on it and go from there,” said Schutte.
As for schools, Geneva College, Blackhawk and Big Beaver Falls Area school districts are impacted.
Beaver Falls said they plan to give bottled water to students and teachers, and they are telling students they may bring their own water bottles to school.
All water fountains will be turned off for at least 48 hours.
The water testing is expected to be done by Wednesday night or Thursday morning. By that point, they hope the boil water advisory will be lifted.
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