United Water Toms River To Test Hydrants, Clean Water Mains Starting Next Week

United Water Toms River will begin its semi-annual hydrant testing and water main cleaning next week in the Holiday City and Silver Ridge Park sections of Berkeley, according to a company press release on the township website.

The program will begin on Sept. 7 and will last roughly eight weeks. The work will be done in rotating shifts, during the day and at night, except for Saturdays. Private hydrants will be tested during the first two weeks of November.

Crews will begin working at approximately 9 p.m. on Sundays and work until 5 a.m. on Mondays, then from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. No work will be done during daytime hours on Monday, Sept. 7 or Oct. 12 in observance of Labor Day and Columbus Day.

“United Water follows an essential hydrant testing and water main cleaning program twice a year...,in order to remove sediments from mainline pipes to enhance water quality and also verify an ample flow of water for firefighting,” said Jim Mastrokalos, United Water Director of Operations.

Residents are reminded that there may be temporary times of low water pressure or volume and slight discoloration or cloudiness during the work, which is not harmful. United Water recommends running cold water for a few minutes and allowing new water to work its way through the pipes.

If residential and business customers see United Water crews working on streets where their homes and offices are located, do not use tap water, washing machines or dishwashers until the work is completed.

Customers may wish to fill up clean bottles or containers with tap water ahead of time and store them in their refrigerators for drinking or cooking while the work is being done.

For daily information on specific areas and streets being flushed, go to www.unitedwater.com/tomsriver, link to the “Outage Map,” facebook.com/UnitedWaterSouthJersey and twitter.com/UnitedWaterSJ.

Customers with questions or concerns may call United Water’s customer service center at 877-565-1456.