Updated: Montclair Says 'Conserve Water' After Large Main Break In NJ

MONTCLAIR, NJ — NOTE: Montclair officials declared a local state of emergency on Saturday in connection with the water main break. Read our update here.

Montclair officials issued an advisory about “brown water” on Friday in the wake of a major main break that took place in Nutley earlier this week.

The fallout from Wednesday’s break spurred a boil water advisory in Bloomfield 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)

Officials in multiple towns have said that the broken water main is operated by the North Jersey District Water Supply Commission. A spokesperson with the agency 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.

BROWN WATER IN MONTCLAIR

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.

MONTCLAIR TO LOCAL RESIDENTS: 'CONSERVE WATER'

On Friday, Montclair town officials asked local residents to conserve water over the next three days in the wake of the main break.

Montclair officials said:

"Starting this evening, the NJDWSC plans to reduce its water pressure to allow for repair of its leak. Our township's Department of Utilities has taken multiple proactive measures and initiated our contingency plans in preparation for possible impact to the township's water pressure caused by the NJDWSC. We are monitoring information received from the NJDWSC and believe that actions taken by the NJDWSC during its repair process could reduce township water pressure."

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

"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."

The township's Department of Utilities will continue to monitor NJDWSC activity while it makes its needed repair, Montclair officials said.

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