Veolia will shut down the Hoboken and Jersey City interconnect at 5 p.m. this evening to repair the 36-inch water main break that caused boil water advisory in the Mile Square City.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
The service provider will slowly switch the Hoboken water feed to a secondary source between the hours of 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., allowing for water to continue to flow into Hoboken, while the work continues, Veolia said in a statement.
Hoboken residents may experience pressure fluctuations during this time. In Jersey City, the Newport/Harborside area may experience water pressure fluctuations as those areas are fed from a secondary source to facilitate the repair.
This will permit crews to make necessary repairs underground in the overnight hours and resume full pressure by early tomorrow morning when repairs are anticipated to be completed.
Residents and businesses are reminded that a boil water advisory remains in effect for Hoboken until further notice. The advisory is a necessary precaution in Hoboken, as water pressure fell below the recommended threshold during Veolia repairs.
However, there is still currently no boil water advisory for Jersey City.
Furthermore, to expedite excavation work and repairs, Jersey Avenue has been closed in both directions at 18th Street in Jersey City.
Eastbound traffic coming into Hoboken on Jersey Avenue will be diverted onto 18th Street. Westbound traffic on Observer Highway is detoured onto Grove Street and Henderson/Marin Street.
Hoboken and Jersey City Police officers are on site to assist with traffic flow, pedestrian safety, and oversize trucks. Drivers are encouraged to enter and exit the City from northern routes.
The road closure and subsequent detours will remain in effect until the work is complete.
Mile Square City residents are advised to take proactive contingencies in preparation for potential low water pressure throughout the evening.
In Hoboken, residents and businesses should boil their water for at least one minute for the following: washing dishes, drinking, cooking, or baking, making ice cubes, taking medication, brushing teeth, washing food, mixing baby formula or food, mixing juices or drinks, feeding pets, and all other consumption.
Water does not have to be boiled for showering or washing clothes.
For more on the boil water advisory from Veolia, click here.
Late this morning into this afternoon, county officials sent five “water tenders,” 3,300-gallon tanks, to Jersey City and Hoboken.
“Working together with the affected municipalities, Hudson County immediately jumped into action to help bring clean drinking water to our residents,” County Executive Craig Guy said in a statement.
“I’d like to particularly thank Hoboken Housing Authority Chairperson Barbara Reyes for her quick response and efforts to resolve this serious issue. When communication channels remain open between county and municipal officials, we can get things done.”
Guy added that he was joined by Board of Commissioners Chair Anthony Romano (D-5), Hoboken 2nd Ward Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher, and Hoboken Councilwoman-at-Large Emily Jabbour.
“In moments like this, it’s reassuring to know we can count on Hudson County for support. As soon as he heard about the water main break, Craig Guy reached out, and we were able to quickly get water to our most vulnerable neighbors,” Fisher noted.
“Thank you to Hudson County for jumping in to offer support today to assist Hoboken as we respond to the water service interruption earlier, and now the boil water advisory that’s in place. During times of crisis, all levels of government should work together to assist residents, especially our most vulnerable,” added Jabbour.
Editor’s note: This story was updated with new information.
