Update: Boil Water Advisory Lingers In 3 Essex County Towns After Main Break

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Belleville, Bloomfield and Newark issued boil water advisories on Tuesday after a major main break near Branch Brook Park. Water pressure and service was affected in all three municipalities, officials said.

Here's what happened in each town.

BELLEVILLE

Belleville officials released the following message via social media on Monday:

“Attention residents of the Rutan Estates area … Due to a water main break in the area from Hoover Avenue to Franklin Avenue and Joralemon Avenue towards Nutley, you will experience little to no water pressure due to a water main break. We will be working on this situation until the damage is repaired.”

The town followed up with an update on Tuesday morning:

“Due to a major, 72-inch water main break, sections of Belleville are experiencing discolored water and low/no water pressure. The Newark Water Department is on site to repair. Our fire department is working diligently to pump water to Clara Maass Medical Center and our township engineer is working with Newark officials to divert water to Belleville. We will provide additional updates on the township website and social media channels.”

A “boil water advisory” also appeared on the township website Tuesday:

“Due to a major water main break in Branch Brook Park, Belleville residents are advised to boil water until further notice.”

The boil water notice was issued out of an "abundance of caution," officials said Tuesday afternoon.

"As per the governor’s office, [Mayor Michael Melham] is asking Belleville’s Office of Emergency Management to make a request of bottled water to be distributed if the situation cannot be addressed in a timely fashion," officials said.

Other updates included:

• "The Newark Water Department, which operates the pipe, is also on site"
• "Members of the Belleville Fire Department are working to pump the discharged water to a safe basin near Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville"
• "Township Engineer Thomas Hertis is coordinating efforts with Newark officials to divert more water to Belleville users"

Melham, Township Business Administrator Anthony Iacono and other Belleville officials are working to gather more information, authorities said.

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.

BLOOMFIELD

On Tuesday morning, Bloomfield officials announced the break was also affecting the township. A boil water advisory has been declared.

According to a statement from officials in Bloomfield:

"Due to a water main break on the City of Newark supply line in Belleville this morning, the Township of Bloomfield has issued an emergency announcement declaring a boil water advisory. Around 8 a.m. on Tuesday morning, a 72-inch water main broke in Branch Brook Park on the border of Newark and neighboring Belleville, wreaking havoc in New Jersey's largest city and nearby communities. Both Belleville and Newark water departments are working to contain the problem, and the Newark Office of Emergency Management is asking neighboring cities for help to supply water tankers while repairs are being made."

Officials said Bloomfield residents can find more information on the township website, or by calling the water department at 973-680-4009.

“I want to assure residents that we are testing and retesting the water supply system as often as possible and we haven’t detected the presence of any contaminants such as e-coli or fecal coliform,” Mayor Michael Venezia said. “Until the situation is resolved, the township will continue to sample and re-sample the water to verify that these contaminants have not been introduced into the potable water system.”

“As in other water breaks of this nature, where water pressure or service is either low or non-existent, all water used for consumption, brushing teeth and washing dishes should be boiled for at least 1 minute before use until further notice and use of bottled water is encouraged,” Venezia said.

NEWARK

Newark officials also issued a statement about the water main break on Tuesday, noting that a vehicle was reportedly trapped in a sinkhole.

According to the Newark Department of Public Safety:

"Due to a water main break at Mill Street in Belleville inside a park, water pressure in Newark is currently low. Newark firefighters and police have responded to the scene to assist, as a private vehicle is reportedly trapped in a sinkhole at the location. The Newark Office of Emergency Management is seeking mutual aid from neighboring cities to supply water tankers while repairs are being made."

Newark public safety officials released an update on Tuesday morning:

"Mayor Ras Baraka and Public Safety Director Fritz Fragé announced this morning that a large water main break at Clinton and Mill Streets in Belleville is impacting service in the North, West, South and Central Wards. Residents are advised to boil water until further notice. Some people will experience having no water or low pressure. The city will go door-to-door to give out water. The Department of Water and Sewer Utilities is working to repair the break. Anyone experiencing a water emergency should contact 973-733-3654. Anyone with a question should contact 973-733-4311."

Officials said at 10:53 a.m. that Newark Water and Sewer Utilities workers have identified and closed four of the water valves linked to the break, with two outstanding valves expected to be closed "within the hour."

Two hospitals in Newark also reported being affected by the water main break.

At University Hospital, visitors were limited and elective surgeries were canceled, administrators said. According to the hospital:

"As local agencies work towards resolution of the significant water emergency in the City of Newark, University Hospital and its staff continue to care for patients. Due to the situation, University Hospital has implemented the emergency conservation of water. We are providing bottled water for patients and limiting visitors to the hospital. All clinic visits and elective procedures have been cancelled for the time being. Until normal water operations resume, the community should refrain from coming to the hospital for non-emergency issues. University Hospital is always here to serve the healthcare needs of the community, and we appreciate everyone’s patience during this temporary water emergency."

Meanwhile, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center was also impacted by the main break, administrators reported:

"Newark Beth Israel Medical Center is temporarily suspending visitation to the hospital following a major water main break which occurred early this morning near Branch Brook Park impacting a large portion of the city of Newark. Please visit our website for full visitation guidelines. If you have an appointment scheduled for today, please call your provider to confirm."

The Newark Board of Education announced that summer school programs were canceled Tuesday due to the "city-wide water emergency."

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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