Drinking Water Declared Safe from River Spill; Intake Reopened
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
4 September 2011
By Luis Fabregas
The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority reopened its intake valve
in Aspinwall after the spill of a contaminant into the Allegheny
River, an authority spokeswoman said on Saturday.
"We're back to normal operations at the plant," said Melissa
Rubin, executive communications coordinator for the authority. She
said the valve reopened shortly after midnight. "The treatment
plant is no longer at risk."
Officials on Friday shut the valve because emergency dispatchers
reported that several thousand gallons of industrial detergent
were dumped into the Allegheny River at the Allegheny Valley Joint
Sewage Authority treatment plant in Harmar. The detergent produced
foam on the surface of the water.
The product, called ethoxylated alcohol, was the same chemical
that spilled into the Monongahela River last week in Fayette
County. Although it is the same ingredient found in some household
detergents, it can cause skin and eye irritation in humans.
Rubin said none of the chemicals reached the drinking water
supply, which is safe to drink.
There were no restrictions placed on boaters, who went about their
days in a normal fashion.
"We can swim in the water, just not where the spill occurred,"
said Bryan Reppermund, 20, of Cranberry, whose family owns a boat
docked at the Outboard Haven Marina in Verona. "We're going to
enjoy the day."
Luis Fabregas can be reached at lfabregas@tribweb.com or
412-320-7998.