Officials with the Nanty Glo Water System said there is a mandatory water conservation alert.

The notice affects residents in Nanty Glo Borough, Jackson Township, Blacklick Township, and Revloc.

Water Authority officials said they noticed discolored water about a month ago. The Department of Environmental Protection told them it was from too much manganese in the water, a mineral found in rocks and soil.

As the authority tried to adjust chemicals to flush the system, heavy rain hit the area, forcing them to delay.

Then, a new filtration system malfunctioned and didn’t alert them when the filtered water tank was empty.

The authority asked Ebensburg and other water suppliers for help, until they started having water supply issues too and may no longer supply the extra townships.

Now, the Nanty Glo Water Authority wants residents to limit water use until they can build up a clean water supply, and begin producing their own water again.

“I know that people are upset and I understand their frustration and their anger, but it’s nobody’s fault,” said Diane Holby, the Nanty Glo Water Authority Board Secretary. “Please be patient with us a little longer. I know it’s hard, but that’s all we can do until this whole issue is cleared up.”

The authority said the water is safe to drink and cook with. 

Customers are asked to not use an excess amount of water until further notice, by not washing cars, watering plants or lawns, taking shorter showers and conserving water as much as possible.