Water main break repairs complete, service restored in Middletown

News 12 New Jersey was told that people who live west of the area are without water.

News 12 Staff

Aug 24, 2023, 10:01 AM

Updated 535 days ago

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Update: Service has been restored to all customers after a 12-inch water main break occurred in Middletown. This comes on the heels of major flooding on Wednesday. Hubbard Avenue has reopened as well after repairs were finished.
Residents in Middletown were dealing with a water main break Thursday morning that left them without service and drinkable water.
Hubbard Avenue remains closed near Nutswamp Road due to what is reportedly a 12-inch water main break reported on Wednesday. The area is impassable in both directions with an anticipated closure of 24 hours, according to officials.
Water was gushing out of the road and flooding the area. The water has since been turned off. News 12 New Jersey was told that people who live west of the area are without water. News 12 was also told New Jersey American Water crews have isolated the break that is on a 12-inch main. Repairs are underway on both the water line and the roadway itself.
Four residential customers and a school are currently without water service during the repair process, which is expected to take approximately 10-12 hours. The cause of the breaks was not clear. However, Middletown Township Administrator Tony Mercantante says it may have had to do with age.
"Realistically, it's probably just age. The lines, according to the water company, appear to be 1920s vintage water lines,” he said.
New Jersey American Water Company has provided cases of water to residents affected.
Another water main break occurred overnight at a gated retirement community about a half mile from the Hubbard Avenue break. At least one unit was damaged at the Shadow Lake Village complex.