Ellwood City Family Battles Frozen Pipes Without Water for a Week

Danielle Golanty and her neighbors struggle with unsanitary conditions as they wait for their water to return.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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A family in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania has been without running water for over a week due to frozen pipes, despite warmer temperatures. Danielle Golanty and her neighbors are dealing with unsanitary conditions, unable to do basic tasks like washing dishes or flushing toilets. Pennsylvania American Water has confirmed the issue, but says the frozen pipes are on the individual properties, not the main water lines they are responsible for.

Why it matters

Frozen pipes are a common winter issue, but this case highlights how a lack of running water can severely disrupt daily life and create public health concerns, especially for families with young children. It also raises questions about utility companies' responsibilities and the financial burden on homeowners to address such problems.

The details

Golanty and her neighbors have been without water since the cold snap, forced to use sponges to bathe their children and drive an hour to do laundry. Pennsylvania American Water says the frozen pipes are on the individual properties, not their main lines, meaning homeowners are responsible for thawing or replacing the pipes at their own expense.

  • The water outage began over a week ago during a cold snap.
  • On Thursday, Golanty spoke out about the unsanitary conditions her family is facing.

The players

Danielle Golanty

A resident of Ellwood City, Pennsylvania who has been without running water for over a week due to frozen pipes on her property.

Pennsylvania American Water

The utility company responsible for the water infrastructure in Ellwood City, which has confirmed the frozen pipe issue affecting multiple homes in the area.

Aaron Bernstine

A state representative who has been involved in addressing the water outage issue in Ellwood City.

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What they’re saying

“I have a sink full of dirty dishes, I have flies. This is unsanitary. I can't flush my toilets. I have to drive an hour to do laundry.”

— Danielle Golanty, Ellwood City Resident (cbsnews.com)

“It's not fair to my kids, me, anybody else in my street who has medical issues.”

— Danielle Golanty, Ellwood City Resident (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

Pennsylvania American Water crews are continuing to investigate the frozen pipe issue and work with affected residents to restore water service. The utility company says it may take time for the ground to fully thaw and reach the frozen pipes on individual properties.

The takeaway

This water outage highlights the challenges low-income families can face when dealing with unexpected home repair issues, especially during harsh winter weather. It underscores the need for better coordination between utility companies and homeowners to address frozen pipe problems and ensure all residents have access to basic sanitation.