Belleville Water Safe To Drink Without Boiling, Officials Say (Update)

BELLEVILLE, NJ -- The township of Belleville has lifted a boil water advisory that was issued earlier this week, officials reported Saturday.

According to a message from Belleville town officials:

"The Department of Environmental Protection has examined all water samples and has deemed the Belleville water supply safe to drink without boiling. Mayor Melham and the entire Township Council would like to thank everyone for their patience during this stressful event."

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

All three municipalities eventually issued boil water advisories, although nearby Nutley did not.

Tuesday's 72-inch main break left sections of Belleville without pressure or with discolored water. Its boil water advisory was issued out of an "abundance of caution," officials said.

• See related article: Videos Show Power, Damage Of Water Main Break In Belleville

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

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