Water being distributed in Edison, N.J. after large water main break
EDISON, N.J. - Water flow is beginning to resume in Edison neighborhoods after a water main break left thousands of residents without any to drink, bathe or cook with, Mayor Sam Joshi said Friday evening.
The large, 20-inch water main broke late Christmas night near Ben Franklin Elementary. It left some 20,000 customers with little or no water pressure.
"We are introducing the flow of water again within the water main line," Joshi said.
Edison's mayor said even though water is flowing again, it's a slow process to fully restore water pressure.
Joshi said the problem is the repairs involve valves that are 80-100 years old, and that caused "unexpected difficulties" in making the necessary repairs.
"We don't want to risk creating another break by opening a valve up out of a rush," he said.
Authorities are distributing bottled water to residents in need.
Edison residents aren't the only one impacted by a water main break, however. There are at least three water main breaks throughout Central New Jersey, so residents of Leonia and Verona are dealing with similar issues.
All in all, there are thousands of residents impacted, with many of them under a boil water advisory.
Where to get bottled water or use a restroom in Edison
While crews work to repair the water main, Edison residents can make use of the following locations:
Water distribution locations
- Firehouse station at 25 Plainfield Avenue. Gallons of water are available to residents.
- Firehouse station at 1997 Rt. 27. Gallons of water are available to residents.
- Edison senior center at 2963 Woodbridge Avenue
Restrooms
- Edison senior center at 2963 Woodbridge Avenue
- Minnie B. Veal community center at 1070 Grove Avenue
- Edison VFW Memorial Post 3117 at 53 National Road
- Sheraton Hotel at 125 Raritan Center Parkway
- Herbert Hoover Middle School at 174 Jackson Avenue
- James Monroe Elementary School at 7 Sharp Road
- Metuchen High School at 400 Grove Avenue in Metuchen
Restrooms & showers
- Jewish Community Center at 1775 Oak Tree Road
- Woodbridge Community Center at 600 Main Street in Woodbridge
"Residents that are impacted can just show their IDs showing that you're impacted and you can get water," Joshi said. "It's for free. We're doing this because we understand that this is a very frustrating situation. No one wants to be in this situation, especially around the holidays. But I am proud to say that a lot of the community has come together."
Residents can also contact Edison Water Utility at 732-248-6409 for more information, or check their website for additional updates.
Efforts to fix the problem
Crews have been working around the clock to get the water flowing again in Edison. Nearby residents say they've been dealing with very low water pressure, which is making getting basic things done challenging, like cooking and bathing.
Businesses at a shopping center on Route 1 have been operating with no water at all.
Joshi met with some frustrated neighbors Thursday night. Some 20,000 Edison residents are now under a boil water advisory.
"There was no direct contaminant that we saw, but we want to be in an abundance of precaution," Joshi said.
"We have to buy bottled water to wash all of our stuff and even rinse anything or make any drinks. So, it's pretty tough," business owner Justin Zhu said.
"It's just an inconvenience. Totally inconvenience. I hope it's fixed real soon," Edison resident Karen Myers said.
The repair work has largely blocked road access to the residents of the Edison Terrace Mobile Home Community.
Resident Susan Goepfert walked about half a mile to pick up bottled water from the closest store. Life without running water, she said, has been a challenge.
"I can't wash dishes. They're starting to pile up. So we have a lot of things that we can just microwave," she said.
Edison officials are aiming to get some water pressure restored Friday night. The mayor's office said the water flow will be a gradual increase over time.
Problem not just in Edison
Officials in Leonia have cut 70% of the flow of water while the problem gets resolved.
Impacted residents may experience periods of no service, low pressure and discolored water.
