Water Pressure Restored For Most In Downtown Jersey City
JERSEY CITY (CBSNewYork) - Water has been restored to most customers in downtown Jersey City after a water main break caused a water crisis in the area Wednesday afternoon, 1010 WINS reported.
Following the ruptures, water could be seen pouring out of storm drains at Coles and 6th streets, CBS 2's Tracee Carrasco reported.
Students in nearly a dozen schools were sent home early due to a lack of water.
Much of downtown Jersey City remained under a boil water advisory late in the day, CBS 2's Jim Smith reported. The advisory will remain in effect until Thursday evening, 1010 WINS' Al Jones reported.
Water Pressure Restored For Customers In Downtown Jersey City
United Water said crews pinpointed the problem to a 12-inch water main break at the intersection of Grove and Grand streets in front of the Boys and Girls Club building.
The water main was isolated, and United Water continues to work on repairs on fall smaller breaks, Carrasco reported.
A valve on a broken fire hydrant caused a surge in pressure and caused the smaller breaks along the water transmission line on Coles Street, United Water said. Those breaks affect about 500 customers.
Approximately 15,000 to 20,000 people were affected by the problem, Smith reported.
The schools affected by the water main break included PS 3, MS 4, PS 5, PS 16, PS 22, PS 37, Bright St. Academy, Ferris HS, and Junior Academy. Students were dismissed at 12:45 p.m.
All after-school activities were canceled at those schools only, and all staff remained at the schools until the end of day, according to the Board of Education.
Tanker trucks full of water were sent to City Hall, Jersey City Medical Center and local firehouses.
Water tanker trucks were made available for residents to obtain water for drinking at the Jersey City Medical Center, 355 Grand Street and at the Jersey City Fire Department Headquarters, 465 Marin Boulevard, between 6th and 7th streets. Residents should bring clean, empty containers to fill up with water from the tanker trucks.
United Water released the following map indicating the areas the boil water advisory impacts:
"We understand that this leak presents an inconvenience to our customers," United Water Operations Manager John Hroncich said. "Our only priority is to restore full service back to the area."
The water main break was an unanticipated inconvenience for many, including business in the area, Carrasco reported.
"I know they can drink beer instead of water, but it's a waste water issue and clean beer glasses so let's just hope for the best with these guys that they can get it on for us tonight," beer garden general manager John Argento said.
Customers subjected to the boil order are advised to boil their water for one minute before drinking, cooking, baking, making ice cubes, washing dishes, taking medication, brushing teeth, washing food, mixing baby formula, mixing juices or other beverages, feeding pets, and other consumption. Water need not be boiled for showering or washing clothes.
For more information, check United Water's website, or call 1-800-575-4433.
United Water serves roughly 240,000 people in Jersey City.
You may also be interested in these stories:
