Update: Belleville Water Pressure 'Restored To Normal'; But Boil Advisory Is Still Active

This article was updated at 9:45 a.m. on Aug. 11

BELLEVILLE, NJ — A boil water advisory continued in Belleville into Thursday, more than 48 hours after a major water main break knocked out service in several North Jersey towns. However, water pressure has finally been "restored to normal," officials said.

The Belleville Water Department is taking water samples throughout the township. When the test
results are final, the water advisory is expected to be lifted, officials said Thursday morning.

The main break took place on Tuesday morning near Branch Brook Park at the border of Belleville and Newark, and also affected Bloomfield. According to Newark officials, it happened at Clinton and Mill Streets in Belleville. Read More: Water Main Break Wreaks Havoc In 3 Essex County Towns

Belleville Township purchases treated surface water from the Newark Water Department through four interconnections located on Passaic Avenue, Hilton Street, Joralemon Street, and Belleville Avenue. Read More: Belleville Releases Annual Drinking Water Quality Report

"The pipe that broke belongs to the City of Newark, therefore it is our responsibility to fix it," a spokesperson with Newark Mayor Ras Baraka's office told Patch on Wednesday, adding that the cause of the water main break has not been determined yet. Read More: Newark Nearly 100% After Massive Water Main Break, Officials Say

Belleville officials said Tuesday’s 72-inch main break left sections of the town without pressure or with discolored water. A boil water advisory was issued out of an “abundance of caution.”

That advisory continued on Wednesday morning, town officials reported on social media:

“Out of an abundance of caution, township residents should continue to boil their water before use until further notice. Ongoing repair continues on the water main break on the Newark-Belleville border in Branch Brook Park. Because of the major water main break, some residents will experience discolored water, and others may have low water pressure or no water.”

Belleville is providing one case of water per family (proof of residency required) at the Senior Citizen building, 125 Franklin Avenue, officials said.

Several residents said they still had no service as of Wednesday morning. “We have no water here… so there’s no water to boil!” one person commented online.

Belleville Mayor Michael Melham gave an update on the situation Tuesday night. He wrote:

“Late this evening, Township Business Administrator Anthony Iacono and I were once again on scene of the major water main break on the Newark / Belleville border of Branch Brook Park (Essex County). The Newark Water Department and the contractor will be on site throughout the night. They have given us no specific timeline, other to say they are working diligently. And they certainly are. Earlier today we were optimistic that it would be resolved by this evening. Now, we are hopeful for early tomorrow.”

On Tuesday, Belleville officials said members of the Belleville Fire Department were working to pump the discharged water to a safe basin near Clara Maass Medical Center. Meanwhile, Township Engineer Thomas Hertis coordinated efforts with Newark officials to divert more water to Belleville users.

While the water woes affected two hospitals in Newark, a spokesperson for Clara Maass Medical Center said the hospital was "fully operational" as of Tuesday afternoon. The hospital is using bottled water for drinking, and continues to monitor the ongoing situation with the water main break, she said.

• See related article: No Boil Water Advisory In Nutley: Water Main Break Update

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