Montclair ‘Boil Water Alert’ Extends To Verona Border: Officials

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — The Montclair Water Bureau (MWB) issued a “boil water alert” for customers throughout the township on Monday morning. The alert extends to the town’s borders with Verona, West Orange, Cedar Grove and Montclair State University, officials said.

Verona town officials stated Monday that "in regards to the Montclair water advisory, there are no issues with Verona-supplied water... It is safe to use and drink."

A break to a 20-inch water main in Montclair took place at 9:30 p.m. on Sunday at the intersection of North Mountain Avenue and Van Vleck Street, which affected multiple residents and businesses in the high-pressure zone, according to the MWB.

The water main break was isolated at 10:30 p.m. on Sunday, the MWB said. However, the boil water alert will last "until further notice," the agency stated Monday.

A map and affected properties list can be seen online here. Customers with questions can contact the Montclair Water Bureau at 973-744-4600. Keep updated with local public safety alerts at the Patch Montclair Facebook page.

Montclair officials issued a boil water alert for customers in the following areas:

• North Mountain Avenue to the Verona line
• South Mountain Avenue to the Verona line to the West Orange border
• Upper Mountain Avenue to the Cedar Grove line, including Montclair State University

WHAT NOW?

According to Montclair officials:

“After repairs are completed, water samples will be taken -- results take 24 hours. A potential or actual threat to the quality of water being provided to you currently exists. As a precaution, we are implementing a Boil Water Advisory until testing of the water supply is deemed satisfactory. While this is a precautionary measure, it is required procedure when a pressure drop occurs and the Water Bureau is following main break guidance by the NJ Department of Environmental Protection.”

According to a Monday morning alert, “effective immediately and until further notice,” Montclair residents bring tap water to a rolling boil for one minute and allow the tap water to cool before using for:

• drinking
• preparing foods, washing vegetables and fruit
• cooking
• making ice cubes
• taking medications
• brushing teeth
• mixing baby formula, food, juices or drinks

“Please continue to boil your water or use bottled water until you are notified that the water quality is satisfactory,” Montclair officials advised.

Montclair officials also issued the following advice:

• 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
• 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
• Do not use home filtering devices in place of boiling or using bottled water; most home water filters will not provide adequate protection from micro-organisms
• Use only boiled water to treat minor injuries
• Provide pets with drinking water that has been boiled (and cooled)

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