State Of Emergency In Montclair After Water Main Break: Video

MONTCLAIR, NJ -- Montclair public safety officials declared a local state of emergency on Saturday in connection with a large water main break that is affecting several towns in North Jersey.

During the state of emergency, Montclair residents must avoid any "non-essential use of water" and use water "only when absolutely necessary," the Office of Emergency Management said. The order became effective at 3 p.m.

Town officials said that non-essential uses of water include:

• "The watering of lawns"
• "The watering of outdoor gardens, landscaped areas, trees, shrubs and other outdoor plants"
• "Non-commercial washing of automobiles and trucks"
• "The washing of streets, driveways, and sidewalks"
• "The serving of water in restaurants, clubs or eating places unless specifically requested by the individual"
• "Ornamental water use including, but not limited to, fountains, artificial water falls, and reflecting pools"
• "Running partial loads in washing machines and dishwashers"
• "Operating non-essential ice machines"

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.

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

Montclair Mayor Sean Spiller released a video statement about the local state of emergency on Saturday.

Spiller offered another update on Sunday night.

BROWN WATER IN MONTCLAIR

According to a previous statement from 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'

Montclair town officials first asked local residents to conserve water on Friday. Officials said to avoid wasting water for three days.

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," 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.

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site. Don’t forget to visit the Patch Montclair Facebook page.