Boil water advisory follows water main break at Jersey City-Hoboken border
A water main break near the border of Hoboken and Jersey City prompted a boil water advisory Tuesday in New Jersey.
Video shows water gushing out and filling up a gaping hole near the intersection of 18th Street and Jersey Avenue, where the 36-inch main ruptured. Crews were on the scene to make repairs, but officials say customers may experience fluctuating water pressure.
Aging infrastructure a problem, officials say
At this point, it's unclear what caused the break or how long the repairs will take, but officials did say most of the underground pipes in the area are at least 100 years old, adding what happened Tuesday was likely the result of a structural issue.
"With the cold weather, some of these problems, it brings the level of how old these pipes are to the surface," Hudson County Executive Craig Guy said.
"That shift and change in pressure to the system kind of kicks up a lot of sediments and so that all has to be monitored," Hoboken City Councilperson Emily Jabbour said.
Others said the combination of new developments and the age of the infrastructure is causing problems.
"Hoboken and Jersey City have grown so much over the last 20 years that the usage is doubled or tripled," said Anthony Romano, the county commissioner for Hoboken and Jersey City.
Hoboken leaders said they have been making strides to improve the system. In 2023, there were 17 breaks, while in 2024, there were eight.
Water main break impacts business, schools
Hoboken officials encourage residents to sign up for emergency alerts to get the latest updates. The boil water advisory was issued for Hoboken, which was required by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
Some schools operated on a 90-minute delayed opening.
The break left the cafe Hey Coffee People less than a mile away with little to no water pressure, forcing manager Heebin Yoon to close three hours early.
"We couldn't even use the espresso machine," Yoon said. "Most of our regulars, we had to say we didn't have their usuals, which is not good for business at all."
City leaders passed out free bottled water to impacted residents.
What to know about boil water advisory
Veolia Water posted an update on social media shortly after 8 a.m. saying water pressure is being restored, but the boil water advisory will remain in effect until further notice.
The company says customers should boil their water for one minute and then allow it to cool down for the following purposes:
- Drinking
- Cooking or baking
- Washing dishes
- Making ice cubes
- Taking medication
- Brushing teeth
- Washing food
- Mixing baby formula
- Mixing juices or drinks
- Feeding pets
- Other consumption
Customers don't need to boil their water for showering or washing laundry.
Veolia Water says low water pressure can potentially lead to harmful microbes in the system, which may cause illness, especially in infants, elderly people or those with compromised immune systems.
