Boil Water Alert Remains In Clark, Bottled Water Offered

CLARK, NJ — A mandatory boil water advisory was issued to Clark residents by New Jersey American Water following the loss of water pressure from a 48-inch transmission main leak along Possumtown Road in Piscataway.

The leak was reported on Monday night and is impacting the quality of water.

"As a precaution, we are implementing a limited Boil Water Advisory until testing of the water supply is deemed satisfactory. New Jersey American Water will provide information as to when the advisory is lifted," NJ American Water announced.

The advisory was issued for nine towns in Middlesex, Somerset and Union Counties including:

• Clark
• Dunellen
• Edison
• Green Brook
• Linden
• Middlesex
• Piscataway
• Roselle
• South Plainfield

Effective immediately and until further notice, customers within the impacted area, listed above, are instructed to bring tap water to a rolling boil for one minute and allow cooling 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.

New Jersey American Water also recommends the following steps:

• Throw away uncooked food or beverages or ice cubes if made with tap water during the day of the advisory.
• Keep boiled water in the refrigerator for drinking.
• Do not swallow water while showering or bathing.
• Do not use home filtering devices in place of boiling or using bottled water, most home water filters will not provide adequate protection from microorganisms.
• Use only water that has been boiled (and cooled) to treat minor injuries.
• Rinse hand-washed dishes with a diluted bleach solution (one tablespoon of household bleach per gallon of tap water) or clean your dishes in a dishwasher using the hot wash cycle and dry cycle.
• Upon boiling water for potable use, it is suggested that 2-3 gallons of boiled (and cooled) water be stored in the refrigerator in one gallon-containers for use in cooking, drinking, etc. Water can be stored in this manner for 2-3 days.
• Pets should be provided with drinking water that has been boiled (and cooled) in the manner indicated above.

Customers are also being asked to limit their water use to essential purposes only while New Jersey American Water works to repair the transmission main and restore the flow of water to its system.

The company is coordinating with local and county officials to provide bottled water on Tuesday at the following sites:

• 495 Sidney Road, Piscataway from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• 4000 Hadley Road, South Plainfield from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Warinanco Park Sports Center, 1 Park Park Drive in Roselle
• Warinanco Park Sports Center, 1 Park Park Drive in Roselle
• Oak Ridge Park, 136 Oak Ridge Road in Clark

Water quality sampling after water service is fully restored may take up to 48 hours to confirm that standards are being met.

Customers with questions can contact 1-800-272-1325.

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