BUTLER TWP — A water advisory is under effect at the main building at VA Butler Healthcare after the discovery of bacteria.

Staff and outpatients in Building 1, which encompasses all outpatient facilities in the complex, were told not to use the water on Tuesday after routine water quality testing found bacteria levels higher than allowed by Environmental Protection Agency standards, said spokeswoman Amanda Kurtz.

VA officials distributed bottled water and hand sanitizer at the building.

Kurtz said that the testing showed that the levels of general-type bacteria was above EPA standards. The bacteria was not Legionella, as Kurtz said testing for that bacteria was performed earlier and was found to be negative.

She said that remedial action is scheduled to take place this weekend by a third party company.

Kurtz said the VA hopes to know more about the situation in seven to 10 days.

Kurtz said that the advisory only affects Building 1. The community living center and domiciliary are unaffected.

The last routine water test was performed in January, Kurtz said. At that time, the bacteria levels were below the EPA allowable level.