For Immediate Release:

July 2, 2012

 

 State of emergency still in effect

MANDATORY outdoor water ban continues; boil water advisory lifted for all towns in Monmouth County

 

TINTON FALLS, NJ – New Jersey American Water Company, in consultation with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the Monmouth County Office of Emergency Management, has lifted the precautionary boil-water advisory in Aberdeen, Highlands, Holmdel and Middletown, the last four towns that were required to take this precaution. No business or resident of Monmouth County has to boil water before consuming.

 

An outdoor watering ban remains in effect for the entire county. The outdoor water use ban is deemed necessary, in part, to ensure there is enough water available so that the volunteer firefighters and fire department water tankers that have been on standby since Friday afternoon can be released.

 

“With or without these firefighting water tankers it remains critically important for residents to adhere to the outdoor watering ban so there will be enough water pressure should there be a fire,” Freeholder Director John P. Curley said. “Residents have been doing a great job conserving water thus far. These conservation efforts are one of the reasons why we no longer have to boil our water.”

 

With the boil water advisory lifted, water distribution at Middletown High School North will cease. Still, the Monmouth County Office of Emergency Management and the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders remind all county residents that a state of emergency is still in effect.

 

The ongoing water emergency means that:

 

• All water utility customers, not just customers of New Jersey American Water Company, are under a mandatory water restriction that bans all outdoor water use and encourages indoor water conservation. Therefore, it is illegal to water lawns, shrubs or gardens, fill swimming pools and wash cars;
• New sod or newly seeded lawns and planted shrubs can be watered to an appropriate level;
• Indoor conservation measures include refraining from using washing machines and dishwashers, limiting showering times and flushing toilets less frequently; and
• Commercial businesses that rely on water for their operations are not subject to these restrictions.

 “The Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office is working with local law enforcement agencies to ensure that the outdoor water ban is strictly enforced,” Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden said. “These restrictions are not just for New Jersey American Water customers, but for everyone in Monmouth County. Cooperation is necessary to ensure public safety.”

 

The emergency was created by the collapse of three large water pipes Friday at the water company’s water treatment plant at Swimming River Reservoir. The break caused a reduction or total loss of water pressure or supply. Other water companies will be rerouting water to New Jersey American Water Co. customers, but not enough to meet normal demand.

 

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