Hoboken’s water main break repaired; boil water advisory remains in effect

Repairs have been made and roadways have reopened. But a boil water advisory remains in effect. Meanwhile, business owners are working to make back what they lost when they had to shut down.

The break happened Monday at Observer Highway and Madison Street. PSE&G says that one of the company’s contractors broke the water main while doing some work in the area.

“We did use that hydrant right there to fill up some water so we could flush the toilet for the hours that we didn’t have water,” says Hoboken resident Danielle Moss.

That water main break forced school closures and a hospital evacuation. A boil water advisory was issued a day later. The city is putting the blame for that on its water provider - Veolia Water.

GUIDE: What to do if your local health officials issue a boil water advisory

“They owe the city of Hoboken and its residents a public apology…They did not read their water testing mechanisms until the evening when people were already drinking that water. That creates a public safety hazard that they have to own,” says Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla.

Hoboken’s restaurants and bars are still feeling the effects of the water main break, after having to close down for several days while the work was being done.

“In this industry it’s everyday matters and every day is different and it’s not only the income that’s impacted…it’s also the employees. It’s the first of the month. They rely on that income on an everyday basis,” says Amine Shengoiti, of Belo Bar and Kitchen. “We open the door, and we hope for the best.”

Residents and businesses are still being asked to boil their water until further notice or to pick up bottled water from one of the city’s water distribution sites.

The complete list of water locations is as follows:

400 First St.

15 Church Towers.

514 Madison St.

455 Ninth St.

11th and Shipyard Lane.

14th and Shipyard Lane.

700 First St.

4th and Jackson.

2 Marine View Plaza.

Brandt School on 9th St., between Park Avenue and Garden Street

Hoboken University Medical Center on Clinton Street, between Third and Fourth streets.

220 Adams St.

221 Jackson St.

Fox Hills, 311 13th St.

Fourth and Harrison streets.

Columbian Towers, 76 Bloomfield St.

Church Towers, 5th and Clinton streets.

The city will also have porta johns available for residents without water at the below locations starting at approximately 1:30 p.m.:

YMCA, 1300 Washington St.