Follow KDKA-TV: Facebook | Twitter

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — About 100,000 customers in Allegheny and Washington counties are under a boil water advisory until further notice.

The Pennsylvania American Water Company says water samples taken from portions of its Allegheny and Washington County service areas Monday had cloudiness, or turbidity, levels above the regulatory standard, which means there is an increased chance that the water might contain disease-causing organisms.

A boil water advisory has been issued for the following areas:

ALLEGHENY COUNTY

Bethel Park

Clairton

Dravosburg

Elizabeth Township

Elizabeth Borough

Glassport

Jefferson

Jefferson Hills Borough

Liberty

Lincoln

South Fayette

South Park

Upper Saint Clair

West Elizabeth

WASHINGTON COUNTY

Amwell

Avella

Buffalo

Burgettstown

Canton

Canonsburg

Caroll Township

Cecil Township

Chartiers

City of Washington

Claysville

Cross Creek

Donegal Township

East Washington

Fallowfield

Finleyville

Frankfort Springs

Forward Township

Green Hills Borough

Independence

Hanover

Hopewell

Houston

Jefferson

McDonald

Midway

Monongahela

Mount Pleasant

New Eagle

North Franklin

North Strabane

Nottingham

Peters Township

Robinson Township

Smith Township

Somerset Township

South Franklin

South Strabane

Union Township

West Middletown

All customers under the advisory are instructed to bring water to a boil for one minute, then let it cool before drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes or using in food preparation until further notice.

In Allegheny County, the South Allegheny School District and the South Fayette School District are both cancelling classes for Tuesday, Nov. 7, due to the advisory.

But, over in Washington County, Trinity Area School District officials say classes will go on as scheduled during the Boil Water Advisory. In an alert on their website, they say students and staff are welcome to pack their own bottled water, but it will also be made available upon request at school offices.

Lisa Washington’s Report:

They will be covering all water fountains and sinks throughout the district, and will make hand sanitizer available in all restrooms.

Also, school officials say the cafeteria staff will continue to prepare lunches, but they will be made without the use of tap water.

At the Forty Bar & Grille in North Franklin, it looked like a normal Monday night. But, because of the advisory, it was not quite business as usual. North Franklin is one of more than three dozen communities in Washington County under a boil water advisory.

Bar owner Robert Merashoff said, “First my food provider called, then my insurance agents, then some customers called and said, ‘Hey, you saw the warning, didn’t you?’”

Washing dishes and other kitchen utensils was okay, but bartenders were using bottled water for drinks, not taking any chances with tap water. Merashoff says his customers’ well-being comes first and foremost.

KDKA’s Ralph Iannotti Reports —

“We wanted to be careful, so we hurried and shut our water off. We want to make certain we can provide our customers with clean water,” Merashoff said.

Animals are also being impacted by the advisory.

The Washington Area Humane Society is also under the advisory. Because of that, they are asking for donations of water. The shelter has placed large bins out front where donations of gallons of water or bottled water can be dropped off.

A Facebook post says: “WAHS needs water. There is a 48 hour water advisory. If you can donate gallons or bottled water please drop off at shelter anytime tonight or tomorrow. There are large bins and benches in front of shelter water can be left in. Thank you for helping the dogs and cats!”

Several communities have set up water buffaloes at key locations so residents have a place to get a safe supply. Penn American is also encouraging people in the impacted neighborhoods to use bottled water at home.

“I’m going to actually head out to the stores and see if they have any water left there, try to buy water. Although, I hear that they’re running low,” said Chuck Herrig, a Bethel Park resident who was visiting the community’s water buffalo location on Monday evening.

KDKA’s Kym Gable Reports —

The water buffaloes have been set up at:

Bethel Park Community Center: 5151 Park Ave, Bethel Park, Pa. 15102

5151 Park Ave, Bethel Park, Pa. 15102 Jefferson Hills Borough Police Department: 925 Old Clairton Rd, Jefferson Hills, Pa. 15025

925 Old Clairton Rd, Jefferson Hills, Pa. 15025 South Fayette Township Library: 515 Millers Run Rd, Morgan, Pa. 15064

515 Millers Run Rd, Morgan, Pa. 15064 South Park Township Library: 2575 Brownsville Rd, South Park Township, Pa. 15129

2575 Brownsville Rd, South Park Township, Pa. 15129 Upper St Clair Community & Recreation Center: 1551 Mayview Rd, Upper St Clair, Pa. 15241

Residents will need to bring their own containers.

Click here for an interactive map of the affected areas.

Pennsylvania American Water says they are draining affected water storage tanks to address the issue, and the issue should be resolved by Monday evening. More information will be posted on PennsylvaniaAMWater.com.