Local News
A water main break near the Hoboken-Jersey City border in New Jersey on Tuesday has led to a boil water advisory.
Video footage captures water gushing from a ruptured 36-inch main, creating a large hole near the intersection of 18th Street and Jersey Avenue. Repair crews were on-site, but officials warned of potential fluctuations in water pressure.
Aging Infrastructure a Growing Concern
The cause of the break remains uncertain, and the duration of repairs is still unknown. However, officials noted that most underground pipes in the area are over 100 years old, suggesting that structural deterioration played a role in the incident.
“With the cold weather, these issues highlight the aging infrastructure,” said Hudson County Executive Craig Guy.
“Changes in system pressure stir up sediment, requiring close monitoring,” added Hoboken City Councilperson Emily Jabbour.
Some officials pointed to the combination of new developments and aging infrastructure as a contributing factor.
“Hoboken and Jersey City have expanded significantly over the last 20 years, doubling or even tripling water usage,” said County Commissioner Anthony Romano.
Hoboken officials have been actively working to improve the system, reducing the number of water main breaks from 17 in 2023 to eight in 2024.
Impact on Businesses and Schools
Hoboken authorities urged residents to sign up for emergency alerts for real-time updates. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection mandated the boil water advisory for Hoboken.
Some schools operated on a 90-minute delay due to the break.
Businesses were also affected, with Hey Coffee People, a café less than a mile away, experiencing a major disruption. Manager Heebin Yoon had to close three hours early due to low water pressure.
“We couldn’t even use the espresso machine,” Yoon said. “We had to tell our regulars we couldn’t serve their usual drinks, which hurt business.”
City officials distributed free bottled water to affected residents.
Boil Water Advisory: What You Need to Know
Veolia Water provided an update on social media around 8 a.m., stating that water pressure was being restored, but the boil water advisory would remain in effect until further notice.
Customers should boil water for at least one minute before cooling it for use in:
- Drinking
- Cooking or baking
- Washing dishes
- Making ice cubes
- Taking medication
- Brushing teeth
- Washing food
- Mixing baby formula
- Preparing drinks
- Feeding pets
- Any other consumption needs
Boiling is not required for showering or doing laundry.
Veolia Water cautioned that low water pressure can introduce harmful microbes into the system, posing risks—especially for infants, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems.
