A water pump failure at Aviano Air Base has led to a boil water advisory, affecting two Defense Department schools and other facilities in Area 1. Students and staff have been advised not to drink tap water until further notice, with bottled water being provided as a precaution. (Austin Harvill/U.S. Air Force)

AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy — A water pump failure at an Aviano area that houses two schools, the medical clinic and other offices has prompted an advisory to boil tap water used for drinking until further notice, school and military officials said Friday.

The 31st Fighter Wing’s bioenvironmental engineering team initiated the advisory for the base’s Area 1 following the pump failure and a loss of pressure, the wing said in a statement.

“During a boil water advisory, we treat the water as non-potable (not safe for consumption) unless it is boiled for 1 minute prior to drinking or preparing food,” the statement said.

Tap water in the area is still safe for showering, toilets, handwashing and cleaning, the wing said.

“Even though this is a precautionary measure, none of our base agencies involved in this matter have detected any degraded water quality,” the statement added.

The bioenvironmental engineering team is working with civil engineering airmen to repair the pump. Afterward, the water will be tested for bacteria, said the wing, which expects the system to be fixed sometime next week.

The top administrators for each school issued advisories Thursday evening to students, parents and staff.

The Department of Defense Education Activity added that the schools would be providing bottled water to students and staff but advised them to bring their own water bottles as well.