For Immediate Release:

July 2, 2012

 

     State of emergency still in effect

H2O giveaway ends as boil water rule is lifted

Mandatory ban on all outdoor watering continues  

 

MIDDLETOWN, NJ – With the boil water advisory now lifted for all towns in Monmouth County, New Jersey American Water Company has announced closure of the last water distribution center at Middletown High School North.

 

This afternoon, the New Jersey American Water Company in cooperation with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the county’s Office of Emergency Management removed the boil water advisory in the last four towns that had been practicing this precaution since Friday.

 

“I want to commend the residents of  Monmouth County because it was largely through their efforts to conserve water that we are now able to lift the boil water precaution for everyone,” Freeholder Director John P. Curley said. “Let’s continue to conserve until we get through this ordeal.”

 

The Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders declared a state of emergency Friday. With New Jersey American Water Company still not operating at 100 percent, the outdoor watering ban will remain in place until further notice.

 

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 continue to reroute water to New Jersey American Water Company customers, but not enough to meet normal demand.

 

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