Broken pipe brings citywide water woes to Hoboken, utility unsure when service will return
A citywide water crisis was unleashed Monday when a junction of two service lines was ruptured, leaving residents wrestling with constant shifts from "low-to-no" water pressure more than 24 hours later, a utility spokesperson said. While the company struggles to fix the busted conduit, local officials have improvised solutions including public toilets and massive buckets of clean water for residents to take home throughout the small-but-bustling town.
"I completely understand the enormous disruptions to the daily lives of almost everyone," Mayor Ravi Bhalla stated in an FAQ posted online. "Residents have every right to be disappointed and upset at the situation."
What happened in Hoboken and why?
Contractors working for PSE&G near the intersection of Observer Highway and Madison Street unwittingly bore through a major service line, releasing a torrent of water rushing over the city's southwest corner at 11:30 a.m. on Monday.
"The rupture occurred where two mains interconnect, which is making repairs more complicated," said Chris Halloren, a spokesperson for the affected utility, Veolia Water NJ.
Bhalla stated the contractors' work on a nearby gas line was needed, and would have upgraded energy service to the city. However, he strongly rebuked the crew's lapse, calling it "inexcusable" and vowed to investigate the blunder.
"Given the costs incurred and major frustrations we have all experienced due to this major disruption in service, we will hold all responsible parties accountable to the greatest extent possible," Bhalla wrote in the city's alert.
How serious is Hoboken's water problem?
Late into Tuesday evening, residents continued to deal with fluctuating service while Veolia worked diligently to fix the busted pipe. But repairs have required the utility to raise and reduce water pressure not just near the site of the breakage but allover the municipality, from the train yard to 14th streets and as far uptown as the Hudson riverfront, according to Halloren.
Unfortunately, each fix requires a brief interruption of service, such as when Veolia attempted to regulate the city's water flow using connections from neighboring Jersey City and Weehawken.
Boil water advisory
The city remained under a state of emergency Tuesday afternoon, according to the Office of Emergency Management, which urged residents and others to avoid the southwest neighborhood where the problem began.
Late Tuesday night, the Hoboken OEM stated that the NJDEP issued a "precautionary boil water advisory for Hoboken. Customers should boil their water before using it for drinking or cooking purposes."
Hoboken schools to open Wednesday
In response to the emergency, Hoboken public schools were closed Tuesday. But later that night, Superintendent of Schools Christine Johnson announced classes for all Pre-K and K-12 students would resume a full-day in-person schedule on Wednesday, with permission from the OEM.
"We look forward to seeing your children at school in the morning. Thank you for being so patient over the past day and a half," Johnson stated.
What is Hoboken doing to help?
Bhalla did not respond to questions, but Hoboken's Office of Emergency Management announced on Twitter that portable toilets and so-called "water buffalos" (large basins that residents can use to fill containers with clean water and bring home) have been placed throughout the city.
Although residents were thankful for the service, strategically spaced water stations in a traditionally walkable city were not a perfect substitute for indoor plumbing.
"I filled two large buckets," said Jack Mello, who lives on Washington and 11th streets. He carried the heavy containers three blocks as they sloshed with as much water he could scurry for his fourth floor apartment. "I was stopping every two floors."
As of 12:30 p.m. Monday, stations for collecting sanitary drinking water were located at the following sites:
400 First St.
15 Church Towers
514 Madison St.
455 Ninth St.
11th Street and Shipyard Lane
14th Street and Shipyard Lane
700 First St.
Fourth and Jackson streets
2 Marine View Plaza
Brandt School (Ninth Street between Park Avenue and Garden Street)
Hoboken University Medical Center (Clinton Street between Third and Fourth streets.)
220 Adams St.
221 Jackson St.
311 13th St.
Fourth and Harrison streets
Columbian Towers (76 Bloomfield St.)
Church Towers (Fifth and Clinton streets)
Water meant for washing, bathing and flushing toilets can be collected at the Fire House at 13th and Washington streets. That water is notdrinkable and, same as with the buffalos, residents must bring their own containers. This service may not be available at all times should the department require the tanker while responding to other emergencies.
Portable toilets are stationed at the following locations:
YMCA (1300 Washington St.)
400 First St.
15 Church Towers
514 Madison St.
455 Ninth St.
11th Street and Shipyard Lane
14th Street and Shipyard Lane
Hoboken University Medical Center (Clinton Street between Third and Fourth streets)
220 Adams St.
221 Jackson St.
Fox Hills apartments (311 13th St.)
Fourth and Harrison streets
Columbian Towers (76 Bloomfield St.)
Church Towers (Fifth and Clinton streets)
Locations may change if the crisis continues. The current list can be found here or by checking the city's OEM Twitter page and following links included in select posts.
When will Hoboken's water problem be fixed?
"We've been working around the clock and will continue to do so until service is fully restored," Halloren said, but had no comment when pressed for an estimated repair time.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Hoboken water main break: Residents still without service
