Burst Water Main Causes Flooding, Forces Home Evacuations

A burst water main in Millburn near the New Jersey Transit train station flooded local streets, forced home evacuations and spurred a boil water advisory for three towns: Millburn, Maplewood and Irvington.

According to reports, a 24-inch water main burst on Friday night, causing severe flooding before workers from New Jersey American Water managed to shut the main off on Saturday morning.

The cause of the water main break is currently unknown, according to the Associated Press.

Authorities stated that at least six homes have been evacuated, but no injuries have been reported.

The incident prompted NJ Transit authorities to close the Millburn train station, causing delays to commuters on the Morris and Essex lines.

Several residents in Maplewood and Millburn have reported no water or low water pressure.

According to a New Jersey American Water boil water advisory issued on Saturday, the water main break is being repaired and normal service could be restored to customers by Saturday afternoon.

The water provider recommended several steps as a “precautionary measure” for customers in the three affected towns:

“Until further notice, customers should bring their tap water to a rolling boil for one minute and allow cooling before using for consumption; drinking, ice cubes, washing vegetables and fruit, and for brushing teeth. Please continue to boil your water until you are notified that the water quality is acceptable.”

According to NJAW, the boil water alert is a standard precaution that is taken whenever there is loss of pressure in their water mains, and there is “no evidence of any contamination.”

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