TIDIOUTE – Residents served by the Southwest Warren County Municipal Authority (SWCMA) are being urged to continue boiling their water as officials work to resolve ongoing system issues that could potentially lead to contamination within the public water supply.

The borough, home to 626 people, according to the 2020 Census, has now been under a boil water advisory for several weeks, with no definitive end in sight. The advisory was originally issued March 18 and later reissued on April 6 after conditions within the system failed to stabilize.

At the center of the advisory is a reported loss of positive water pressure, caused by low levels in a municipal storage tank. Maintaining adequate pressure is critical in a public water system. When pressure drops, it creates the potential for contaminants to enter through backflow or back-siphonage. These conditions can allow untreated or partially treated water from outside the system to infiltrate drinking lines.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the primary concern in such situations is the possible introduction of harmful microorganisms. Tom Decker, regional communications manager for DEP, explained that surface water systems are particularly vulnerable under these circumstances.

“Organisms of concern in surface water sources include bacteria, viruses, and protozoan parasites such as Cryptosporidium and Giardia which are potentially pathogenic,” Decker said.

Residents are being instructed not to consume tap water unless it has been brought to a rolling boil for at least one minute. Boiling water is the most effective way to ensure it is safe for consumption. In addition to drinking, boiled or bottled water should be used for brushing teeth, washing dishes, preparing food and making ice.

Vulnerable populations, including infants, the elderly, pregnant women and those with weakened immune systems, may face a higher risk of illness if exposed to contaminated water. These individuals are encouraged to consult healthcare providers for additional guidance.

Information provided in the public notice, which is available on the Tidioute Borough website, indicates the problem stems from a combination of system leaks and filtration challenges. Leaks can reduce pressure and strain the system, while filtration issues may contribute to periods of cloudy water, known as high turbidity. Elevated turbidity can interfere with the disinfection process, making it harder to ensure water is free from harmful organisms.

The municipal authority is actively working to identify and repair leaks throughout the distribution system. At the same time, maintenance is being performed on filtration equipment to improve water clarity and treatment effectiveness.

Despite the progress, there is currently no set timeline for lifting the advisory. Decker explained that multiple criteria must be met before the notice can be removed.

“After SWCMA has completely addressed the issues that gave rise to the advisory, the next steps will include system-wide flushing, residual disinfectant concentration monitoring, and collection of microbial samples at representative locations in the distribution system,” Decker said.

Once those benchmarks are achieved, SWCMA is required to notify residents within 24 hours. Notification methods may include hand-delivered notices, email alerts or automated phone calls to ensure the message reaches as many residents as possible.

In the meantime, officials continue to stress the importance of following all boil water precautions.