Hoboken water main breaks create messy streets, low water pressure for residents
HOBOKEN, New Jersey (WABC) -- Crews are working to repair two separate water main breaks in Hoboken on Tuesday, which have affected some residents' water pressure, flooded a local street and led to a boil water advisory.
The first came after a 100-year-old, 12-inch pipe broke just before 11 a.m. at Newark and Garden streets.
Veolia Water NJ issued a boil water advisory in the city until further notice due to low water pressure caused by the main break. Veolia said it will notify Hoboken water customers when testing of the water distribution system determines the water supply is deemed satisfactory and the boil water advisory can be lifted.
NewsCopter 7 was over the scene and spotted a large hole in the street filled with water. Muddy debris was left behind in the roadway.
The initial damage went from buckling asphalt to to a massive, gaping hole nearly 10 feet in diameter within hours.
After about an hour, the broken main was isolated and water receded from the area.
"I saw a big water main break and water started coming down the street, trash cans were floating by and, you know, we basically had lakefront property," said Hoboken resident Wendell Jenkins.
Some cars had to be towed from Newark Street so repairs could be made. Those vehicles can be picked up at the city lot on Jefferson for no fee.
Crews respond to second water main break
Just 10 blocks away, officials responded to a second water main break near Ninth Street between Garden and Bloomfield streets.
Veolia Water NJ, Hoboken OEM, fire, and police all responded to the scene to quickly get the water turned off and start repairs.
Veolia Water NJ says it has isolated the 8-inch water main break and roads will be closed in the area while repairs and repaving continue.
They say customers in the area may experience low, to no water pressure and must boil water for consumption for at least one minute, even if it is filtered.
Water main breaks pose recurring frustration for Hoboken residents
The colonial city on the Hudson waterfront has underground pipes that predate the great depression.
One hundred years later, people who deal with the recurring headache sure are depressed.
"We're stuck in the apartment with the dog and can't do dishes, can't take a shower, can't use the restroom," Grant Hellings said.
The first pipe burst on Tuesday morning about a block from the City Hall.
"Trash cans were floating by and we basically had lakefront property," a resident said.
Wide swaths of the city lost water pressure, even for those who didn't find themselves under a boil water advisory.
"It's just it's a pain I feel like we're dealing with this every single month and water runs out pretty quickly at CVS and working in the city trying to get back here to get water is just not really practical," Hellings said.
The city is spending tens of millions of dollars to replace the brittle, obsolete pipes underground, but they can't replace them fast enough.
"We pay enough in taxes where I think they should be focusing their money on infrastructure," homeowner Jim Crangle said.
The city of Hoboken admits to years of underinvestment in its century-old water system. They committed several years ago to a long-term project to replace the pipes underground.
By 2030, they'll have replaced only one-fifth of the water pipes.
Hoboken water distribution sites
Officials were setting up three water distribution sites for residents in need and will open on Wednesday at 7 a.m.
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