Boil water advisory goes into effect in Hoboken as major progress is made to restore service after water main break
HOBOKEN, N.J. -- Major progress has been made in Hoboken to restore water, but the city remains in a state of emergency and the mayor warns more service disruptions could still lie ahead.
Hoboken may be turning in a corner in this crisis. City officials believe most people should start seeing their water restored Wednesday, but there is now a boil water advisory for residents as it comes back.
This whole mess shut down businesses, schools and even the hospital, and once the tap turns back on, the mayor vows to investigate how this could happen.
After nearly 30 hours, crews were finally able to isolate the broken water main Tuesday evening, which means now they can start making repairs.
"We're very cautiously optimistic that we can restore water to the residents of the city of Hoboken as the night goes on and into the morning," Mayor Ravi Bhalla said.
Watch Ali Bauman's report
All 58,000 residents have had little to no water since a water main ruptured on Monday.
Tom Johnson came back from a trip Monday night to low water pressure and woke up Tuesday morning to no water in his apartment.
"My biggest concern is when can we get back water. There are like whole families here. I'm worried about those people," Johnson said.
The city set up 17 water distribution centers, including one on Adams Street, where Sandra Cruz filled up.
"Everything is difficult. This is a senior citizen building and disabled people," Cruz said.
"Can't cook, can't clean any dishes, even if you have food. Haven't been able to shower. Have just been washing your face and brushing your teeth with bottled water," resident Ali Deane said.
"I think the city is doing a good job, but I would just like my water back as soon as possible," Johnson added.
Watch Jenna DeAngelis' report
Businesses and schools were forced to close Tuesday, and CBS2's cameras were there as Hoboken University Medical Center had to start transferring up to 100 patients to nearby hospitals. Others were being discharged early.
"We don't have ability for fire suppression right now on upper floors of the hospital. We don't have ability to sterilize equipment for life-saving operative procedure if that were to be needed," said Dr. John Rimmer, the medical center's chief medical officer.
Marco Garcia's wife was among the remaining patients who were discharged early.
"My wife is not ready for it," he said.
The city blames PSE&G for causing this mess, saying one of its contractors accidentally hit a water main while doing work, but a spokesman for the utility company told CBS2 the main was "unmarked or mismarked."
"As soon as we get the water restored, we're gonna come back, we're gonna investigate, we're gonna find out ... where were the markings done and we're gonna take it from there," said Sgt. William Montez, the Office of Emergency Management operation chief.
The City Council is considering buying more than 200 leak detection sensors for its water service infrastructure.
In the meantime, residents are still waiting for the tap to turn on.
The city does have water distribution sites set up, but some families are resorting to fire hydrants.
"The tanker that the town provided was empty, so we just happened to see the fire hydrant over here," Hoboken resident Rishi Seth said.
"We came out here to fill up from the fire hydrants for our toilets," Hoboken resident Casey Gludeth said.
Hoboken is not out of the woods yet; the mayor says a major disruption like this can potentially create minor disruptions in the water system, which means residents could see more water main breaks in the coming days and weeks.
The Hoboken Public School District, meanwhile, has announced that schools will reopen Wednesday for a "regular, in-person, full day of school."
There are several locations where drinking water is available for residents, including:
- 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
There are also portable toilets set up at the following locations:
- 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
