New Jersey American Water has lifted the boil water advisory for all of its impacted customers in Essex and Union Counties.
Customers in the Township of Irvington, the Township of Maplewood, the Township of Millburn (including Short Hills), Springfield Township, the City of Summit, and the Township of West Orange no longer have to boil water before consumption as water quality results for bacteriological samples show that the water meets all state and federal water quality standards. This notice includes all New Jersey American Water customers in the Wyoming sections of Millburn and Maplewood.
The company has also discontinued its bottled water distribution stations.
NOTE: If customers return to normal water consumption patterns, it will put undue stress on the system and potentially impact our emergency efforts to restore stability.
New Jersey American Water customers in the impacted areas (towns listed above) are required to continue to limit water consumption to essential needs onlyand discontinue outdoor water use.
"It has certainly been a very challenging week for our customers who remained patient for their water service to be restored," said John Bigelow, president of New Jersey American Water. "We thank our customers for their understanding and cooperation as we worked to restore service.
"While the situation has seemingly returned to normal, it is important to remember that the Canoe Brook Water Treatment Plant will not be back at full service for nearly 10 more days. So we again ask for our customers' cooperation in suspending outdoor water use, and use all possible conservation measures indoors."
Customers are strongly encouraged to take the following steps now that the boil water advisory is rescinded:
- Run your water faucets for 3-5 minutes to flush your service connection and interior plumbing with water from the service main.
- Empty and clean your automatic ice makers and water chillers.
- Drain and refill your hot water heater if the temperature is set below 113 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Service connections with a water softener/cartridge filters should be run through a regeneration cycle or other procedures recommended by the manufacturer.
- Water reservoirs in tall buildings should be drained and refilled.
The boil water advisory had been in effect since last Sunday when the company's Canoe Brook Water Treatment Plant in Millburn was severely flooded and lost power as a result of Hurricane Irene.
Customers can continue to visit New Jersey American Water web site for Hurricane Irene Updates at www.newjerseyamwater.com, or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/newjerseyamericanwater. Customers also can continue to contact New Jersey American Water 24 hours a day at 800-652-6987 with any service issues.
New Jersey American Water, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Water (NYSE:AWK), is the largest publicly traded water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately 2.5 million people. Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company. With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs more than 7,000 dedicated professionals who provide drinking water, wastewater and other related services to approximately 15 million people in more than 30 states, as well as parts of Canada. More information can be found by visiting www.amwater.com.In 2011, American Water is celebrating its 125th anniversary with a yearlong campaign to promote water efficiency and the importance of protecting water from source to tap. To learn more, visit www.amwater125.com.
Contacts:
New Jersey American Water
Richard G. Barnes, 856-723-0408
richard.barnes@amwater.com