Boil water advisory lifted in Hoboken as repairs continue on water main break

HOBOKEN, N.J. (WABC) -- Work continues to repair the broken water main that flooded the streets of Hoboken, but officials have lifted a boil water advisory that had been in effect since Sunday's break.

According to SUEZ Water, a repair conducted Monday night to stop the flow of water into the transmission main was unsuccessful.

But the company says it is working on an alternative to reduce pressure in the system near the aqueduct in Jersey City.

Once the repair is made to the broken water valve in Jersey City, the water main break in southwest Hoboken will be repaired as soon as possible. Suez said.

Full water restoration once the main transmission line in southwest Hoboken is fixed could still take several additional days.

Crews for SUEZ Water had been fixing both the water main that broke Sunday morning and a 36-inch valve that failed Sunday night, disrupting a transmission main that feeds water from Jersey City into Hoboken. But water continues to flow from the pipe.

On Tuesday, crews were moving up the pipe, closer to the aqueduct, to stop the water flow so they can do the repairs. So far, workers have not been able to access the broken 16-inch pipe.

Meanwhile, Jackson Street is still flooded and many other streets also are closed.

The boil water advisory was lifted after the Department of Environmental Protection and SUEZ Water officially advised that the water in the City is safe for consumption.

Water conservation was strongly encouraged Tuesday morning, to limit pressure on the system.

On Monday, Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer said water issues may persist until after the Thanksgiving holiday.

"That valve break needs to be repaired first. It's a complicated process. It needs to be repaired before they can do repairs in Hoboken," said Zimmer.

They estimate that the water will recede after about three days.

Riat Christopher, SUEZ Water's senior director of operations, said the cause of the failures is not yet known.

Numerous water tankers have been deployed so residents can get clean drinking water.

Until the system is fully repaired, trucks will continue to dispense free water in town, as long as you bring your own containers. Tanker trucks are located at: 333 River, Newark/Adams, Clinton between Eighth and Ninth streets, 311 13th St., and 14th Street/Sinatra, 10th Street/Madison.

Crews have managed to restore water pressure in the majority of the city, but residents in high-rise buildings still have low pressure, and are not able to get adequate heat. The Newport Center area is also seeing a lack of water pressure, and in many places they have not had water since yesterday.

Hoboken officials are asking drivers to avoid the southern part of the city. Several streets will remain closed until further notice, and Hoboken Police Chief Ken Ferrante urges those traveling to or from Hoboken to use public transportation.

HOBOKEN ROAD CLOSURES:

- Observer Highway closed West of Henderson Street to Jersey Ave.

- Harrison Street closed from Paterson Avenue to Newark Street.

- Jackson Street closed from Newark Street to Paterson Avenue.

- Vehicles traveling North on Jersey Ave will need to turn at 18th Street.

Stay with abc7NY for the latest information on this situation.