Updated: Large NJ Water Main Break Causes Boil Advisory, Service Issues

This article was updated at 7 p.m. on Oct. 8

NEW JERSEY — When it comes to their drinking water, the fates of many Garden State towns and cities are linked together. And that relationship was thrust into the spotlight yet again this week when a large water main break impacted several municipalities in North Jersey.

The fallout from Wednesday’s break in Nutley spurred a "boil water advisory" in Bloomfield that continued Friday, and caused alerts in Newark, Montclair, Belleville and Glen Ridge. Bloomfield was the only town to issue a boil water advisory as of Friday. Read More: Large NJ Water Main Break Causes Boil Advisory, Service Issues (Update)

Bloomfield town officials said the situation is "unprecedented," and is affecting three counties and more than 300,000 residents of North Jersey.

This week’s water woes come on the heels of another major break that took place in August. That break – which originated in Belleville – caused boil water advisories that lingered for days in the town, as well as Newark and Bloomfield.

• See related article: Huge Water Main Break Wreaks Havoc In 3 Essex County Towns
• See related article: Videos, Photos Show Power, Damage Of Water Main Break In NJ

Officials in multiple towns have said that the current broken water main is operated by the North Jersey District Water Supply Commission (NJDWSC), which oversees the largest regional water supply in the state of New Jersey, including more than 95-square-miles of watershed area, two major reservoirs, two river-diversion pumping stations and a 210-million gallon per day water filtration plant.

According to the NJDWSC website, contracting municipalities include Newark, Paterson, Kearny, Bayonne, Passaic, Wayne, Bloomfield, Clifton, Montclair, Nutley, Cedar Grove and Glen Ridge.

A spokesperson with the NJDWSC told Patch that crews have been on the job “around the clock” since the break took place, and have been working with local police and other public safety officials on traffic and other related issues. Work is expected to be completed by Friday night.

“The exact reason for the compromise of the pipe is under investigation,” he added.

NUTLEY

Nutley town officials released an advisory about the break on Wednesday. Officials wrote:

“The Township of Nutley is aware of a water line break in one of the main transmission supply lines in the area of Bloomfield Avenue and Church Street. These lines transverse Nutley from Bloomfield into Belleville. At this time, the water transmission line break does not appear to be that which supplies Nutley and there are no water issues with the Nutley water system. All transmission supply line authorities are assessing the situation to isolate the leak and make repair. The Nutley Water Department, Police, Fire and EMS are also on site to provide assistance as needed. Please expect road closures and detours in the area of Bloomfield Avenue from Centre Street to Church Street as authorities work to make the necessary repairs.”

Nutley officials gave an update about the situation on Friday.

"This water transmission line does not supply Nutley and there are no water issues with the Nutley water system," officials said. "The Nutley Water Department, Police, Fire and EMS are on site to provide assistance as needed. Please continue to expect road closures and detours in the area of Bloomfield Avenue from Centre Street to Church Street as authorities work to make the necessary repairs."

BELLEVILLE

Belleville officials reported Wednesday that some areas of town were experiencing low water pressure.

"This break may cause water discoloration," Belleville officials said, noting that a boil water advisory was not in effect.

NEWARK

The water main break is also impacting other municipalities in Essex, Hudson and Passaic counties, according to Newark city officials, who issued the following advisory early Friday morning:

“Mayor Ras Baraka, Public Safety Director Fritz Fragé, and Director of the Department of Water and Sewer Utilities Kareem Adeem report that a 74-inch water main break that occurred in Nutley may affect the East Ward and lower South Ward of Newark. The water main, operated by the North Jersey District Water Supply Commission (NJDWSC), may also affect municipalities in Essex, Hudson, and Passaic counties. Residents in the affected areas may experience low water pressure or no water as a result of this incident. However, updates regarding repairs will be announced.”

BLOOMFIELD

In Bloomfield, town officials issued a boil water advisory on Wednesday that continued into Friday, noting that some areas of town would possibly see low or no water pressure. Read More: 'Unprecedented' Bloomfield Water Emergency; Boil Advisory Still Active

Bloomfield officials gave an update on the situation on Friday:

"The township just completed a call with NJDEP along with seven municipalities and three water utilities. This is an unprecedented water emergency involving a seventy-two-inch aqueduct controlled by the North Jersey District Water Commission, and a forty-eight and forty-two-inch aqueduct controlled by Newark Water Supply. This unprecedented event has affected three counties and over three hundred thousand residents in several municipalities. We are in contact and coordination with all affected municipalities and agencies. Initially, this was supposed to be a six-hour repair in which the township tapped into our backup lines with Passaic Valley Water Commission and North Jersey Water Supply. We will be tapping into the North Jersey Water supply and Passaic Valley Water Commission today to be able to increase water pressure to certain parts of the township. Unfortunately, repairs of this magnitude are taking a lot longer than anticipated and we hope to have more answers by this evening about when the completion repairs of these three aqueducts."

"As of right now, the township and the Newark Water System are waiting for repairs to be done to the North Jersey Water Commission line before Newark can proceed with the issues that are affecting Bloomfield," officials said Friday evening.

A boil water advisory remains in effect for the entire township, even if residents are not experiencing low pressure, Bloomfield officials added.

GLEN RIDGE

Glen Ridge also reported issues related to the water main break. According to a Thursday message from the township:

“In the area of Bloomfield Avenue and Church Street in Nutley, a leak has been detected in the main water transmission supply line owned and maintained by the North Jersey District Water Supply Commission. This aqueduct provides some of the water to the Glen Ridge area. At 10:00 p.m. tonight they will be shutting down the aqueduct for the repair. We will be opening the backup interconnection with the East Orange water system. Water pressure to the area may drop. Additionally, the water from East Orange comes from a different approved and safe source. However, you may detect a different taste. Currently, we do not have an estimated time for completion of the repair. Updates will be provided as they come in.”

Glen Ridge town officials said Friday that the NJDWSC continues to work on the aqueduct repair. There is no boil water requirement in Glen Ridge, officials added.

Glen Ridge officials asked the local community to conserve water over the next 72 hours. Water pressure in the borough will be impacted as the day progresses, authorities said, adding that residents should shut off landscape watering systems and avoid “high water use activities” such as washing their cars.

On Saturday, Glen Ridge declared a state of emergency. Officials said residents must "avoid any non-essential use of water" and use water "only when absolutely necessary."

MONTCLAIR

Montclair officials issued an advisory about “brown water” on Friday in relation to the break.

According to the Montclair Water Bureau:

“The Montclair Water Bureau is aware of the brown water occurring throughout the system. Our supplier North Jersey District Water Supply Commission has a water main break on the 72-inch transmission line. Due to the supplier trying to isolate the break [overnight], Montclair had to move to another state-approved water source. In doing so, the water flow was reversed in respective water mains between water sources, stirring up mineral content and causing brown water.”

“The water does not pose a health hazard to the public, and although aesthetically unpleasant, poses no risk,” Montclair officials added.

"Over the next 72 hours, it is important that we all do what we can during this emergency repair," Mayor Sean Spiller said Friday.

"We are asking that Montclair residents and businesses moderate their water consumption while North Jersey District Water Supply Commission repairs its water line," Spiller continued. "Simple steps over the next 72 hours, such as eliminating landscape watering and avoiding high water-use activities like washing cars, will assist in preserving township water pressure and our water supply and will help to avoid the need for other more restrictive measures."

Montclair declared a local "state of emergency" in connection with the break on Saturday, requiring all residents to avoid any "non-essential use of water." Read More: State Of Emergency In Montclair After Water Main Break

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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