Most Commonly Asked Questions

  1. I think I may have a water leak!!! How can I check?
    • The first thing to do is to follow this quick guide to check your water meter.
    • Check all toilets by putting food coloring in the back of the tank, do not flush for a couple hours, if the coloring comes through the bowl then there is an issue with the toilet leaking.
    • Check all fixtures installed after the water meter. A small, steady stream of water, 1/32″ in diameter, at an average pressure of 60 pounds per square inch, can waste as much as 18,500 gallons of water per quarter.
    • Read the water meter at night just before you go to bed and write the reading down. Before using any water in the morning, read it again. The readings should be identical.
    • An AWA service technician can make an inspection; however, they are not plumbers and can only make certain determinations. They are not permitted to make repairs except to AWA equipment.
  2. I have no water!!! What should I do?
    • Check all toilets by putting food coloring in the back of the tank, do not flush for a couple hours, if the coloring comes through the bowl then there is an issue with the toilet leaking.
    • Check your main valve by the meter, make sure it is fully open.
    • Check with your neighbors – do they have water?
    • Call Customer Service (724-266-4847) for assistance or more information.
  3. My water is dirty/rusty/discolored!!! What can be done?
    Water quality is affected whenever there is a disturbance to the distribution system. The most common causes are:

    • Water main breaks
    • Use of a fire hydrant due to a fire
    • Unauthorized use of a fire hydrant, such as a construction company filling a tanker
    • Electrical outages that switch pumps on and off
    • Emergency repair work by AWA
    • Scheduled repair work – AWA makes every effort to notify customers in advance
  4. I work all day!!! How can I provide access to AWA?
    • Request service in advance and AWA will make every effort to work with your schedule. Often an appointment can be made for first in the morning or later in the afternoon. We can call you a half-hour before coming to allow you to get home.
    • Leave a key with a neighbor or ask a friend or relative to be there.
    • If you are unexpectedly at home, give us a call. The necessary service might be able to be scheduled that day.
  5. What is this charge on my bill?
    Each account is subject to various charges. There is a base charge plus usage for water, which you see as one total. There are special charges for special services, like a repair charge if your landscaping contractor inadvertently tears up your water service line. If you see a charge you don’t understand, call Customer Service for assistance.
  6. My clothes are dirty and stained from the water!!! What should I do?
    Customers should stop using the water as soon as they become aware that water quality has been affected. If the laundry has been stained, the following steps should be followed:

    • Keep the laundry damp until water quality is restored.
    • DO NOT USE CHLORINE BLEACH!!! Chlorine bleach reacts to the stains and will only make them harder to remove.
    • Soak the stained clothes in a non-chlorine type of stain remover and water. This could take some period of time, depending on the severity of the stains.
    • After soaking, run through the washer cycle and re-wash with detergent and more non-chlorine bleach.