A major waterline break under the Youghiogheny River at Smithton has caused officials to issue a water conservation notice for two area townships.
The Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County issued the notice for its customers in Rostraver and Forward Township areas.
The waterline break was discovered around 9 a.m. Tuesday. It is located just below the Smithton High Level Bridge, according to Joseph Hohman, authority manager.
Authority workers noticed a loss of water pressure and sought the source of the leak. Bubbling could be seen in the river at the site of the leak.
Hohman said the authority hopes to have the leak repaired by midnight.
Affected areas comprise Rostraver, Fellsburg, Smithton, Webster, Wickhaven, Perryopolis, Van Meter and Forward.
Some customers, especially those in elevated areas, may experience low water pressure, Hohman said. But he expects water service will remain for all customers of the authority.
This is being accomplished by rerouting water from within the authority's system and through other systems, Hohman said.
No residential complaints of low or no water pressure have been reported in Rostraver, Forward or Smithton areas.
Water buffaloes - tankers - were set up at the Rostraver Central and Rostraver Number One fire stations.
Residents are being notified of the water conservation notice through media reports and and announcement on the authority's telephone answering service, Hohman said.
