Boil water advisory remains in effect in Hoboken after water service restored

HOBOKEN, N.J. -- Water service was restored to Hoboken following a massive water main break Monday, but a boil water advisory remains in effect. 

Residents should boil water for at least one minute for drinking, cooking or brushing their teeth. Water does not have to be boiled for showering or washing clothes.

Crews finally isolated the break late Tuesday and worked overnight to make the final repairs. CBS2 was there as they turned the valve to release water back into the main pipe.

"They just turned this valve on to make sure it was working," pipe-fitter Josh Joyce said.

Mayor Ravi Bhalla thanked crews for working around the clock and residents for their patience with the repairs.

"My sincere thanks go out to the many essential workers who have been working around the clock on repairs to the broken water main, as well as keeping our residents safe. The past 48 hours have been extremely difficult for our residents; I greatly appreciate everyone's patience," he tweeted. 

Bhalla said even though the break has been fixed, a major disruption like this can potentially create minor issues in the near future. 

"There is a possibility of more modest water main breaks in the coming days or weeks," he said. 

Residents who continue to have problems are urged to call (201) 420-2000.   

The city's 58,000 residents had little to no water for at least 36 hours after the main ruptured. 

It forced the hospital to transfer dozens of patients to other locations, and businesses and schools had to close -- though it was back to class Wednesday.

Some residents Duddridge spoke with practically rejoiced to learn the water returned so they could shower.

"Most beautiful sound in the morning was hearing the water come through the pipes," Mike Petrikot said.

Petrikot said he celebrated his birthday Tuesday but the real gift came when he could turn on the dishwasher. 

"It trickled back a little. Now, we're full pressure this morning," said Rishi Seth.

Businesses also rejoiced at the sound of gushing water, including the staff at Napoli's Pizza, who had to haul 40 gallons of water from the grocery store on Tuesday just to keep their Washington Street location open.

"We were like in a big panic mode and just came over, like what do we do? What do we do?" said Napoli's Justyn Gonzalez.    

The city blamed PSE&G for causing the mess, saying a contractor accidentally hit the water main, but a spokesperson for the utility company told CBS2 the main was "unmarked or mismarked."

When CBS2 asked Veolia Water if it was responsible for the markings, spokesperson Christopher Halleron answered, "We are too busy fixing things to point fingers right now. We want to make sure that we fix our water and we're working in the interest of the public health of Hoboken."

Meanwhile, there are more than a dozen water distribution centers at the following locations: 

• 400 First St. 
• 15 Church Towers 
• 514 Madison S. 
• 455 Ninth St. 
• 11th and Shipyard Lane 
• 14th and Shipyard Lane 
• 700 First St.  
• 4th and Jackson 
• 2 Marine View Plaza 
• Brandt School, on 9th Street between Park Avenue and Garden Street
• Hoboken University Medical Center, on Clinton Street between Third and Fourth Streets
• 220 Adams St.
• 221 Jackson St.
• Fox Hills, 311 13th St.   
• Fourth and Harrison Streets 
• Columbian Towers, 76 Bloomfield St. 
• Church Towers,  5th and Clinton Streets

Portable toilets are set up at the following sites:

• YMCA, 1300 Washington St.
• 400 First St.
• 15 Church Towers
• 514 Madison S.
• 455 Ninth St.
• 11th and Shipyard Lane
• 14th and Shipyard Lane
• Hoboken University Medical Center, on Clinton Street between Third and Fourth Streets.(location slightly updated)
• 220 Adams St.
• 221 Jackson St.
• Fox Hills, 311 13th St.
• Fourth and Harrison Streets
• Columbian Towers, 76 Bloomfield St.
• Church Towers, 5th and Clinton Streets

In:
• Hoboken