Alert Notification: Boiled Water Lifted for All Towns in Monmouth County; Outdoor Use Ban Continues

7/2/2012

New Jersey American Water, in cooperation with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, and the Monmouth County Office of Emergency Management has lifted the precautionary boil water advisory for Aberdeen, Highlands, Holmdel, and Middletown which had been under the advisory since a bridge holding three large water mains collapsed at the company’s Swimming River Water Treatment Plant last Friday. All of the 22 towns initially under the boil water advisory no longer have to boil their water before consumption.

As part of Monmouth County’s declared Water Emergency, all Monmouth County residents, including New Jersey American Water customers in Monmouth County remain under an outdoor water use ban.

“Our restoration work continues around the clock and although the boil water advisory has been lifted for Monmouth County, it is important that customers continue to comply with the outdoor watering ban,  including watering lawns, shrubs or gardens, filling swimming pools, or washing cars,” said Stephen Schmitt, vice president of operations, New Jersey American Water. “Monmouth County officials have declared a water emergency and outdoor water use in Monmouth County is illegal right now, and for good reason.” Recognizing the important nature of the issue, Governor Christie, at his press conference Saturday, committed the support of local authorities to enforce the ban.

Customers no longer need to boil water before consumption as water quality results for bacteriological samples show that the water meets all state and federal water quality standards.

The following measures are strongly encouraged now that the boil water advisory is rescinded:

• Run your water faucets for 3-5 minutes to flush your service connection and interior plumbing with water from the service main.

• Empty and clean your automatic ice makers and water chillers.
• Drain and refill your hot water heater if the temperature is set below 113 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Service connections with a water softener/cartridge filters should be run through a regeneration cycle or other procedures recommended by the manufacturer.

For updates, customers visit newjerseyamwater.com or facebook.com/newjerseyamericanwater.