City of Youngstown issues boil advisory for neighborhoods after water main break
The City of Youngstown is issuing a boil advisory for several communities following a "major water main break" on Hubbard Road between Logan Avenue and Albert Street.
According to the advisory, residents in the City of Youngstown, Boardman Township and Liberty Township are encouraged to boil drinking water for the time being.
A PenguinAlert from Youngstown State University states that the alert is still in effect as of Monday morning.
Because of this, the Cushwa Cafe, Maag Cafe Schwebel Cafe and Dunkin Donuts will not be serving coffee, espresso or iced drinks, and Chick-fil-A and Chirstman Dining Commons will not be serving fountain drinks.
Harry Johnson with the Youngstown Water Department says he has no definitive time frame for when the boil alert will be lifted, but he says it will likely be in effect until at least Wednesday.
Although the city has not found evidence that the water system is contaminated, it is sharing the advisory as a precaution. Crews are currently out performing tests on various sites. 64 tests must be done and come back as negative for contaminants before the alert can be lifted.
So far 25 tests have been done, according to Johnson.
The break could allow organisms to enter the water supply, which could make people ill.
As a result, the city is recommending that all water being used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes or food preparation be brought to a rolling boil for one minute and allowed to cool before use.
Alternatively, residents could opt to use bottled water for these tasks instead.
In addition to the boil advisory, residents may see a decrease in water pressure or a temporary loss of water. There is also the potential to see disruption in water quality or a temporary increase in lead levels in drinking water.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency recommends that the following steps be taken to reduce potential lead exposure, including:
- If water has not been used in several hours, run the tap until there is a noticeable temperature difference. Then, run the water for between 30 seconds and three minutes to help flush any water containing lead from the plumbing system.
- Using cold water for cooking, drinking and preparing baby formula. Boiling the water will not reduce lead, if it is present
- Cleaning the faucet aerator regularly
Customers in Canfield and Austintown are not among the communities under the boil advisory.
According to the release, crews are working to fix the line and will provide additional updates when they become available.
