Water Restrictions Lifted in 18 of 22 Towns; Middletown Still Under Boil Advisory

From NJ American Water

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 18 of the 22 municipalities in Monmouth County 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.

As part of Monmouth County’s declared Water Emergency, all New Jersey American Water customers in Monmouth County remain under an outdoor water use ban. “Water pressure in the system is stabilizing right now, so it is critical that everyone stop all outdoor water use including watering lawns, shrubs or gardens, filling swimming pools, or washing cars,” said Stephen Schmitt, vice president of Operations, New Jersey American Water. “In fact, under the county’s declared water emergency, 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 yesterday, committed the support of local authorities to enforce the ban.

The following towns only are no longer advised to boil water prior to consumption:

• Allenhurst Borough
• Deal Borough
• Eatontown Borough
• Fair Haven Borough
• Lake Como Borough
• Little Silver Borough
• Loch Arbor Village
• Long Branch City
• Monmouth Beach Borough
• Neptune Township
• Ocean Township
• Oceanport Borough
• Rumson Borough
• Sea Bright Borough
• Shrewsbury Borough
• Shrewsbury Township
• Tinton Falls Borough
• West Long Branch Borough

“We’d like to thank our customers for their conservation efforts thus far, and the cooperation of state, local officials, and emergency management personnel as we work through these issues,” said Schmitt.

Four towns in Monmouth County that remain under a boil water advisory:

• Aberdeen Township
• Highlands Borough
• Holmdel Township
• Middletown Township.

Until further notice, customers in these four municipalities should bring tap water to a rolling boil for one minute and allow to cool before using for consumption; drinking, ice cubes, washing vegetables and fruit, and for brushing teeth. Please continue to boil your water until you are notified that the water quality is acceptable.

New Jersey American Water also recommends the following steps:

• 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;
• Rinse hand-washed dishes for a minute in diluted bleach (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 swallow water while you are showering or bathing;
• Provide pets with boiled water after cooling;
• Do not use home filtering devices in place of boiling or using bottled water; most home water filters will not provide adequate protection from microorganisms;
• Use only boiled water to treat minor injuries.

New Jersey American Water will continue working diligently around the clock in order to resolve the need to boil water in these four municipalities, and will ensure that bottled water is available to them.

“We are pleased that New Jersey American Water is working diligently to resolve this issue,” Monmouth County Freeholder John P. Curley said. “We also remind our residents that the water restrictions remain in effect and that the support and vigilance by residents will get us through this emergency.”  

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