HOBOKEN, N.J. (PIX11) – A state of emergency was declared in Hoboken on Monday after a water main break left much of the city with little to no water pressure, officials said.
The water main break occurred at 11:30 a.m. at Observer Highway and Madison Street due to construction work done by a contractor for PSE&G, according to Mayor Ravi Bhalla. The water is still safe to drink, so a boil water advisory isn’t in effect, officials said.
Repairs were continuing overnight, which will impact water service into the morning on Tuesday, officials said.
“Veolia is inserting valves to continue repairs on broken main,” Bhalla tweeted at 8:35 p.m. “Repairs will continue throughout the night, as Veolia hopes to restore water for most residents by [Tuesday morning].”
The mayor didn’t provide a more precise estimate for when water would be restored for all residents on Tuesday morning.
The Hoboken Office of Emergency Management distributed drinking water at several locations in the city at 6 p.m. Tuesday. Residents were told to bring their own containers to fill up at the following locations:
- Hoboken University Medical Center, 308 Willow Ave.
- 220 Adams St.
- 221 Jackson St.
- Fox Hills, 1301 Willow Ave.
- 4th and Harrison streets
- Columbian Towers, 76 Bloomfield St.
- Stevens’ Wesley Howe Center, 1 Castlepoint Terrace
All establishments in Hoboken without running water, including all gyms, restaurants, bars and hair and nail salons, must close until water is restored, per the New Jersey Department of Health. All establishments with running water, including supermarkets, pharmacies and places selling water, are allowed to remain open.
Hoboken Public Schools will have at least a 90-minute delayed opening Tuesday, according to the mayor.
The water main break was also impacting traffic in the southern end of Hoboken with some street closures. Drivers were advised to enter and exit the city from northern routes.
“We have been in close contact with neighboring municipalities and Hudson County, which are standing by and ready to assist Hoboken in case of an emergency,” Bhalla said. “This is a situation we never wish would occur, but we are ready and our public safety officials remain ready to serve the Hoboken public throughout any emergency. I sincerely thank residents for their patience as Veolia and their crews work on repairs.”
