Hoboken water main finally shut down after weekend break; valve installation begins

HOBOKEN, N.J. (WABC) -- Workers shut down a 36-inch broken water main in Hoboken Wednesday morning.

SUEZ Water announced that crews are now installing a new 36-inch valve at Newark and Harrison streets, which will restore full pressure to the Newport section of Jersey City. The water flow was shut down around 3:45 a.m.

According to SUEZ, the installation of the valve should be complete before the end of Wednesday, allowing the pressure to resume to normal.

Full water restoration once the main transmission line in southwest Hoboken is fixed could still take several additional days. Crews for SUEZ Water have been fixing both the water main that broke Sunday morning and a 36-inch valve that failed Sunday night for days.

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.

A 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 is also urged.

With the boil water advisory lifted and residents having access to water through Thanksgiving, water tanks will no long be stationed in Hoboken. The trucks will be available to return if needed.

Hoboken officials are asking drivers to avoid the southern part of the city. Several streets will remain closed until further notice:

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.

Residents are being advised to continue to use public transportation or enter and exit Hoboken through the north.

Once the water main in Hoboken is repaired, temporary road repairs will be installed on the street on Friday or Saturday to allow for traffic to flow on the streets around the water main break in southwest Hoboken, SUEZ Water said.

Excess water is being removed from the streets and sidewalks, and the Hoboken Fire Department has been clearing the area of excess debris.