Videos Show Power, Damage Of Water Main Break In Belleville

BELLEVILLE, NJ — A boil water advisory for Belleville continued into Friday morning after a huge main break earlier this week, which left many residents without service.

Although the water pressure is back in Belleville following Tuesday’s chaos, the town’s local boil water advisory is still in effect. Read More: Belleville Boil Water Advisory Still Active After Main Break

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

Belleville Mayor Michael Melham has been sharing photos and videos taken at the scene via social media (see below).

“[The town is] expecting water test results today,” Melham said Friday morning. “If all clear, we can lift the boil water advisory.”

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.

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."

Melham’s photos and videos show the power and scope of the break, including a car that was found submerged in a sinkhole amid the churning waters.

The driver, a Jersey City resident, was able to escape without any serious injuries, News 12 Long Island reported.

Melham also documented the town’s effort to distribute bottled water to residents this week, as well as repair efforts at the site of the break.

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