Hoboken municipal buildings and schools are closed today are Veolia Water crews continue to work on Monday’s 16-inch water main break, with street sweeping also cancelled.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
The state of emergency issued by the Hoboken Office of Emergency Management remains in effect until further notice, with some Downtown Jersey City and Weehawken residents feeling the impact of the situation last night.
“Overnight, Veolia transitioned the City from the Jersey City water feed to the Weehawken feed. While a larger number of residences have access to water, those living in buildings on higher floors may continue to have low to no water pressure,” a Nixle alert from 6:13 a.m. says.
“Veolia remains on site and is attempting to isolate the broken main while not cutting water to the entire City. They are getting closer to identifying the exact location of the break, but because of the complexity of the water main infrastructure at that location and the interconnectivity with Jersey City, they have been unable to isolate the broken main.”
Veolia Water noted that Weehawken and Downtown Jersey City residents may encounter low water pressure due to the circumstances of the repairs.
There is still no boil water advisory in effect and seven locations remains available for residents to access water, though residents must bring their own jugs or containers.
The seven locations are Hoboken University Medical Center (308 Willow Ave.); 220 Adams St.; 221 Jackson St.; Fox Hills (1301 Willow Ave.); Fourth and Harrison Streets; Columbian Towers (76 Bloomfield St.); and Church Towers (6th and Clinton Streets).
“#Hoboken: The initial rupture on Observer & Madison created a massive hole, making it difficult to isolate the main,” Veolia tweeted at 7:46 a.m.
“Crews have worked all night to install a linestop, which will stop flow of water to the break and facilitate repairs. @CityofHoboken @HobokenOEM”
In a Nixle alert issued about an hour ago, the city announced 10 new “water buffalo” locations, along with 14 locations with porta johns for residents that are still without running water.
The new locations to access water are at 400 First St., 15 Church Towers, 514 Madison St.,
455 9th St., 11th and Shipyard Lane, 14th and Shipyard Lane, 700 1st St., 4th and Jackson Streets, 2 Marine View Plaza and Brandt School – located on 9th Street between Park Avenue and Garden Street.
The porta johns will be at the same locations, with the exception of Brandt School, 2 Marine View Plaza, and 4th and Jackson, with the addition of the YMCA at 1300 Washington St.
Additionally, the Hoboken Fire Department will have a water tanker of non-drinkable water for uses such as dishwashing, bathing, and toilet flushing at their firehouse at 13th and Washington Streets.
Furthermore, OEM “has activated the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT.) CERT will visit the City’s six senior buildings to assist Hoboken seniors in need of water and additional assistance.”
Bhalla also said that the water main was damaged when a contractor for PSE&G was doing work near the Jersey City and Hoboken border yesterday and that water disruption will likely continue into tomorrow morning.
“Given the facts as presented to me at an emergency management meeting this morning, Veolia is advising residents that they should unfortunately plan for a continued disruption in water service tonight and into tomorrow morning,” he wrote in the alert.
“We will continue to stay in close contact with emergency crews to update residents on a more concrete time frame, as Veolia continues to diligently search for the source of the break.”
Editor’s note: This story was updated with new information.
