More homes hit by water problems

POINT BREEZE - July 21, 2008

A water main broke just before midnight on the 1800 block of Wharton Street in the Point Breeze section of Philadelphia.

The water department has shut off water to about one hundred homes.

Repairs will begin at 8 a.m.

There are also water main problems affecting other communities. Pennsylvania American Water is issuing a precautionary boil water advisory for customers in portions of Norristown Borough, East Norriton Township and Plymouth Township due to a water main break.

The company reports that a 16-inch water main broke Saturday along the 1700 block of DeKalb Pike. The water main was fixed yesterday. American Water told Action News the advisory will stay in effect until at least Monday, for precaution.

This notice applies to customers along the following streets in East Norriton Township:

• Arch Street
• Old Arch Road
• Birchwood Drive
• Birchwood Circle
• Robin Lane
• Robin Lane
• Brownstone Drive
• Vincent Way
• William Court
• Jamestown Court
• Mario Lane
• Megann Circle
• Sawmill Court
• New Hope Street
• Rome Avenue
• Central Avenue
• Warsaw Street
• Hazleton Street
• Shamokin Avenue
• Bristol Avenue
• Connor Street
• Rahway Avenue
• Johnson Highway

This notice also applies to customers along the following streets in Norristown:
• Zummo Way
• North Hills Drive
• Russwood Drive
• Janeway Drive
• Natalie Lane
• Norma Lane
• Logan Street
• Calamia Drive
• Kenrick Lane
• Glen Valley Drive
• Roberts Street
• High Street
• Gary Lane
• Caroline Drive
• Linda Lane
• Tremont Street
• New Hope Street

This notice also applies to customers along the following streets in Plymouth Township:
• Northview Boulevard
• Boyer Boulevard
• Plymouth Boulevard
• Cedar Lane
• Cook Lane
• New Hope Street
• Fornance Street
• Carmen Drive
• Fairfield Avenue
• Penn Road
• Volpi Road
• Jefferson Road
• Lucieta Street
• Sandy Hill Road

WHY THE NEED TO BOIL? The advisory is being issued due to a reported loss of water service. If water loss occurs in an area where disease-causing organisms (bacteria, viruses, parasites) are present, there is a possibility they may enter the distribution system through back-flow or back-siphonage and can cause flu-like symptoms. Although no risk conditions have been identified to confirm possible contamination at this time, Pennsylvania American Water advises those customers impacted to boil their water as a precaution.

WHAT SHOULD I DO? If you only had "low pressure" and did not completely lose water service – there is No Need To Boil.

If you are unsure that a complete loss of water service occurred, you should follow the guidelines below. CUSTOMERS WHO LOST WATER SERVICE SHOULD BOIL THEIR WATER BEFORE CONSUMPTION. Once water service is restored, bring water to a rolling boil for one minute, and let it cool before using; or use bottled water. Customers are also advised to use boiled or bottled water for drinking, making ice, washing dishes, brushing teeth, and food preparation until further notice. Customers will be notified when all corrective actions have been completed and there is no longer a need to boil water.

People with severely compromised immune systems, infants, and some elderly may be at increased risk, and can seek additional advice from their health care providers. 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.