Hoboken Tapping Into Water From Weehawken As Crews Repair Broken Mains; Boil Advisory Lifted

HOBOKEN, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Hoboken residents had running water again Tuesday, two days after a pair of water main breaks flooded streets.

SUEZ Water North Jersey said the city is now receiving water through a transmission line coming from Weehawken while crews work to repair a broken valve in Jersey City and another main break in southwest Hoboken near the Jersey City line. Those repairs could take several more days, officials said.

A boil water advisory has been temporarily lifted, but officials warned that it may be enacted again once the Jersey City main is repaired to ensure water from it was not contaminated.

Residents, meanwhile, are still being urged to conserve water. While water pressure has increased throughout the city, some residents may experience lower pressure than usual.

"Continue that effort to conserve water," Mayor Dawn Zimmer said. "Try not to use as much water during those peak periods. So until we get the Jersey City valve break repaired and the Hoboken break repaired, we need to continue to try and conserve water."

Because of street closures related to the main break, residents are still urged to use mass transit, and motorists are asked to enter and exit Hoboken on the city's north side.

Water was still pouring into an intersection on the south side Tuesday afternoon and several blocks remained cordoned off, causing traffic, CBS2's Elise Finch reported.

"I haven't even left my apartment. This is the first day," said Marisa Rivieccio, adding she couldn't travel around town after the main breaks.

Renee Levine said the water in her home is still discolored, so she's hesitant to bathe her two daughters in it.

"Looks light brown, so I'm not OK with that," she said. "So we're boiling the water and then giving them sponge baths."

Christopher Riat with SUEZ Water said the color of the water "should be stabilizing, but I will say with all this valve operation, there is a potential to stir up more sediment and create more discolored water."

Owners of businesses such as Amanda's Restaurant on Washington Street said they were prepared to remain open even if the boil water advisory remained in place because Thanksgiving is one of their busiest days.

"We're using bottled water at the table," said Eugene Flinn, co-owner of Amanda's. "We're using bottled water in the kitchen and not boiling water just to reassure them they'll be safe."