Public Notification / Boil Water Advisories

Public notification is intended to ensure that consumers will always know if there is a problem with their drinking water. These notices immediately alert consumers if there is a serious problem with their drinking water that may pose a risk to public health. They also notify customers if their water does not meet drinking water standards or if the water system fails to test its water in accordance with the schedule provided through the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP).

Public notification has always been part of the Safe Drinking Water Act.  The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revised the existing Public Notification Rule to better tailor the form, manner, and timing of the notices to the relative risk to human health.  The revised rule makes notification easier and more effective for both water systems that must do the notification and to their customers.

• EAWA has a Rapid Response System.  In an effort to keep the public informed in a timely fashion should circumstances warrant.  The new call system has the ability to contact the entire service area.

EAWA will make every attempt to notify its customers; but this is not possible if your current information is not available.  You can sign up for the notification system here: Emergency Notification System

There are times when EAWA has to call water customers regarding the safety of the water.  This usually occurs in the fall and winter months.  If the water must be shut completely off as the staff is fixing a leak, this constitutes a “Loss of Positive Pressure” and a Boil Water Advisory must be sent to the affected area.

Precautions to take during a Boil Water Advisory

• Do not drink tap water.
• Do not use ice made from recent tap water.
• Do not use tap water to make drinks, juices, or fountain soft drinks
• Do not allow water to contact open wounds. Otherwise, wash your hands and bathe as usual. Bathing is safe as long as no water is swallowed.
• Water Fountains – Do Not Use even if it has built-in filter. Provide signage restricting use and turn the water to the fixture off.
• Wash dishes, fruits and vegetables in boiled water or water that has been disinfected with bleach.
• Brush your teeth with boiled water or commercially bottled water.
• Cook with tap water ONLY if the food will be boiled for at least one minute.

Boil Water Procedure  – Do not consume the water without boiling it first

• Bring all water to a boil
• Let it boil for one minute
• Let the water cool before using or used commercially bottled water
• Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water.