Update: Boil Water Advisory Reduced to 22 Towns

Saturday afternoon: The boil water advisory has been reduced to cover just the towns directly served by New Jersey American Water Company.

Towns still under the boil-water advisory are Middletown, Holmdel, Aberdeen, Highlands, Rumson, Fair Haven, Little Silver, Oceanport, Sea Bright, Tinton Falls, Shrewsbury, Long Branch, Eatontown, West Long Branch, Deal, Allenhurst, Loch Arbor and Neptune. Monmouth Beach, Lake Como and Shrewsbury and Ocean townships were added this morning. For a map of the affected area(s), click here.

In these towns, the boil-water advisory pertains to residents, businesses and health care facilities. Affected businesses include hotels, restaurants and bars. The advisory means water should be brought to a rolling boil for at least one minute and then cooled prior to use.

The ban on all outdoor water use remains in effect for the entire county, as other water companies assist in providing service to New Jersey American customers.

“While things are looking a little better for many county residents today, a state of emergency remains in effect until further notice,” Freeholder Director John P. Curley said. “We are all in this together and it is critically important that each of us does our part to conserve water.”

Update, 9:30 a.m. Saturday: The boil water advisory issued Friday afternoon has been expanded to all towns in Monmouth County, according to a press release issued by Monmouth County officials.

All outdoor water usage -- watering of lawns, washing of cars, filling of swimming pools -- has been banned until further notice. In addition, all residents of Monmouth County are asked to curtail indoor water usage, limitiing the length of showers, avoiding running dishwashers and washing machines.

The “boil-water advisory” includes residents, businesses and health care facilities who obtain their water through utility companies. Water should be brought to a rolling boil for at least one minute and then cooled prior to use. Affected businesses include hotels, restaurants and bars.

The boil water advisory was expanded because water companies in the county have shared agreements and many of their distribution systems are interconnected, according to county spokesman William K. Heine.

The county remains under a state of emergency, Heine said.

Friday: State of emergency declared in Monmouth County

Following the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders declared a state of emergency for all county residents. 

According to the release, 18 towns with water service from New Jersey American Water were affected by three "large water mains," that collapsed Friday afternoon. As a result, many residents saw either a loss or elimination of their water supply. 

Residents in Monmouth County are not permitted any "nonessential outdoor water use" and urged to limit indoor use, the release said. New Jersey American Water Company customers should follow a "boil-water advisory."

Freeholder Director John P. Curley said, in light of Friday's events, that all county residents could be impacted while repairs are conducted. "All of Monmouth County is in a state of emergency because New Jersey American Water Co. may have to feed off other utilities throughout the weekend," he said. "We need to pull together during this critical time and help one another by conserving water."

Sheriff Shaun Golden said the ban will be "strictly enforced," throughout the county. "These restrictions are not just for New Jersey American Water customers, but for everyone in Monmouth County," he said. "Cooperation is necessary in order to maintain public safety."

The press release from the county also included the following information:

The mandatory restrictions for all Monmouth County residents include the following:

• No watering of existing lawns, trees, shrubs and gardens;
• No use of water for nonessential reasons, and
• Washing cars is prohibited except at commercial car washes that recycle water.

Towns directly affected by this crisis include Middletown, Holmdel, Aberdeen, Highlands, Rumson, Fair Haven, Little Silver, Oceanport, Sea Bright, Tinton Falls, Shrewsbury, Long Branch, Eatontown, West Long Branch, Deal, Allenhurst, Loch Arbor and Neptune.

New Jersey American Water recommends the following steps for these customers:

• Throw away uncooked food or beverages or ice cubes if made with tap water during the day of the advisory;
• Keep boiled water in the refrigerator for drinking;

• Rinse hand-washed dishes for a minute in diluted bleach (one tablespoon of household bleach per gallon of tap water) or clean your dishes in a dishwasher using the hot wash cycle and dry cycle.  
• Do not swallow water while you are showering or bathing;
• Provide pets with boiled water after cooling;
• Do not use home filtering devices in place of boiling or using bottled water; most home water filters will not provide adequate protection from microorganisms, and 
• Use only boiled water to treat minor injuries.