Boil Water In Bloomfield Until Further Notice, Town Says (Updated)

BLOOMFIELD, NJ -- EDITOR'S NOTE: Read our update to this article here.

Bloomfield residents should boil their drinking water "until further notice" due to emergency repairs, town officials announced Wednesday night.

The Bloomfield Division of Public Safety gave a warning about potential water service issues earlier in the day. Officials wrote:

"This is an advisory announcement from the Township of Bloomfield. Due to emergency water supply issues along the City of Newark supply lines, which provide water to the Township of Bloomfield, residents may experience little to no water pressure for a period of time. Water pressures remain normal at this time. The Bloomfield Water Department is currently working to make sure our water pressure remains normal by tapping into a water line with Passaic Valley Water Commission. No actions by Bloomfield Water customers are presently required. The township will provide updates to this situation as the work of both Bloomfield and the City of Newark progresses."

But later that evening, Bloomfield officials issued an update, telling residents to boil their water for at least a minute (and let it cool before drinking), or use bottled water until the all-clear is sounded.

According to the Bloomfield Division of Public Safety:

"Effective immediately and until further notice, Bloomfield water customers are instructed to bring tap water to a rolling boil for one minute and allow the tap water to cool before using, or use bottled water. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking; preparing foods; mixing baby formula, food, juices or drinks; washing vegetables and fruit; cooking; making ice; brushing teeth; and washing dishes until further notice. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water. Boiling water is required even if your residence or business does not experience low pressure and should continue after pressures return to normal until further notice."

"Due to emergency repairs presently being performed tonight on the City of Newark supply lines to Bloomfield, residents of Bloomfield will experience low to zero water pressure beginning at 10 p.m.," authorities stated. "This work is expected to last from eight to 10 hours upon before full water pressure is restored. You will be notified if this schedule changes."

The boil water advisory continued into Thursday morning, authorities said:

"This is an update regarding the Bloomfield Water Emergency notification. The City of Newark continues to make repairs on their main supply line to Bloomfield. Some areas of the Township will continue to experience low pressure over the next several hours.If any residents are experiencing a full loss of water, please notify the Bloomfield Engineering Department at 973-680-4009. If lines are busy, please leave a message with your phone number and location and someone will return your call. You can also send an e-mail to engineering@bloomfieldtwpnj.com. As a precaution, a boil water advisory remains in effect for the entire township, even if you are not experiencing low pressure. Bloomfield Water customers are instructed to bring tap water to a rolling boil for one minute and allow the tap water to cool before using, or use bottled water. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking; preparing foods; mixing baby formula, food, juices or drinks; washing vegetables and fruit; cooking; making ice; brushing teeth; and washing dishes until further notice. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water."

"Boiling water is required even if your residence or business does not experience low pressure and should continue after pressures return to normal until further notice," officials said.

The "town-wide water emergency" caused a delayed opening in the Bloomfield Public School District on Thursday.

WHERE DOES BLOOMFIELD'S WATER COME FROM?

According to the township's 2021 consumer confidence report, Bloomfield purchases bulk drinking water from the North Jersey District Water Supply Commission, Wanaque North and South Reservoirs.

"However, at this time, we cannot physically obtain this water from these reservoirs," the report continues. "We therefore trade or 'wheel' this water from the City of Newark Pequannock Watershed system. Therefore, all of our drinking water originates from the Pequannock watershed."

The report adds:

"The City of Newark’s water supply is entirely from surface water sources in the Pequannock and Wanaque watersheds which cover approximately 150 square miles of forest lands in Morris, Sussex and Passaic Counties. The Pequannock watershed supplies five reservoirs (Charlottesburg, Echo Lake, Canistear, Clinton and Oak Ridge Reservoirs) which have a combined capacity of 14.4 billion gallons. The Wanaque watershed supplies the following two reservoirs: the 29.6 billion gallon Wanaque Reservoir and the 7 billion gallon Monksville Reservoir. The Wanaque Reservoir is operated by the North Jersey District Water Supply Commission (NJDWSC) which has pumping stations designed to pump 250 million gallons per day from the Pompton River and 150 million gallons per day from the Ramapo River into the reservoir when needed."

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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