Water main break update: Pressure restored fully, boil water advisory could be lifted
New Jersey American Water is reporting that water pressure has been fully restored to customers impacted by a Friday afternoon 36-inch main break on Route 206 between Bridge Street and Orlando Drive in Somerville and water quality sampling was completed Sunday evening.
“Yesterday evening the system was fully pressurized and our teams were able to complete the required water quality sampling,” said Carmen Tierno, senior director of central operations of New Jersey American Water. “Assuming those samples show that water meets quality standards, we anticipate being able to lift the boil water advisory this evening, and at that time we will also lift the conservation notice.”
While water pressure should begin to return to all impacted customers, the mandatory boil water advisory that was issued on June 30 for customers residing in Bridgewater, Hillsborough, Raritan Borough and Somerville will remain in effect until bacteriological samples taken show that water meets standards. This testing process takes at least an additional 24 hours or more from when the system is fully pressurized. Customers should continue to boil their water or use bottled water until they are notified that the water quality is satisfactory.
Boil water mandate still in effect
Customers within the impacted areas are instructed to bring tap water to a rolling boil for one minute and allow cooling before using or use bottled water. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, preparing foods, mixing baby formula, food, juices or drinks, washing vegetables and fruit, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth and washing dishes until further notice. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water.
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New Jersey American Water also recommends the following steps:
Throw away uncooked food or beverages or ice cubes if made with tap water during the day of the advisory.
Keep boiled water in the refrigerator for drinking.
Do not swallow water while showering or bathing.
Do not use home filtering devices in place of boiling or using bottled water, most home water filters will not provide adequate protection from microorganisms.
Use only water that has been boiled (and cooled) to treat minor injuries.
Rinse hand-washed dishes with a diluted bleach solution (one tablespoon of household bleach per gallon of tap water) or clean your dishes in a dishwasher using the hot wash cycle and dry cycle.
Upon boiling water for potable use, it is suggested that 2-3 gallons of boiled (and cooled) water be stored in the refrigerator in one gallon-containers for use in cooking, drinking, etc. Water can be stored in this manner for 2-3 days.
Pets should be provided with drinking water that has been boiled (and cooled) in the manner indicated above.
The utility is telling customers to boil your water or use bottled water until you are notified that the water quality is satisfactory. This advisory will remain in effect until repairs are completed and testing shows the water quality to be safe.
Impacted customers are being notified of this boil water advisory via the company’s emergency notification system. New Jersey American Water is working to resolve the issue as quickly and safely as possible. Updates as they occur will be made available on the website at www.newjerseyamwater.com, under Alerts, and on the company’s Twitter and Facebook pages. If customers have any questions, they may call 1-800-272-1325.
Outdoor water use ban for Somerset, Hunterdon customers
New Jersey American Water has also issued a mandatory outdoor conservation ban for residential customers in Hunterdon and Somerset County over the next 48 hours while the company repairs the water main break.
"We are issuing this mandatory outdoor conservation ban to help us preserve our water supplies while we work to fix this very large diameter main,” said Tierno. “We appreciate our customers cooperation and patience as our crews work diligently to restore regular water service to the area.”
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Residential customers in Hunterdon and Somerset counties should refrain from outdoor irrigation and other nonessential outdoor water use, such as washing cars and topping off swimming pools. Customers are being notified of this outdoor conservation notice via the company’s emergency notification system. New Jersey American Water is working to resolve the issue as quickly and safely as possible.
YMCA has showers, restrooms
All impacted residents (Y members or not) are invited to visit Bridgewater YMCA, Hillsborough YMCA, Somerset Hills YMCA & Princeton YMCA for shower and restroom. A photo ID is required.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Water main break update: Pressure restored fully, boil water advisory could be lifted
