As a result of loss of water pressure from a transmission main leak along Possumtown Road in Piscataway, New Jersey American Water had issued a mandatory boil water advisory for customers in Middlesex County as of Aug. 2.
As of 8 p.m. Aug. 4, that advisory has been lifted for residents of Clark, Dunellen, Edison, Green Brook, Linden, Middlesex, Piscataway, Roselle and South Plainfield.
The leaking transmission main had been isolated and repaired, according to updated information provided on Aug. 4 by American Water.
Analytical results from bacteriological samples taken from the water system met all state and federal water quality standards from samples collected on Aug. 3, according to the statement.
Customers no longer need to boil their water, but they should flush household pipes, ice makers, water fountains, etc. prior to using for drinking or cooking using these guidelines:
- Run all cold-water faucets in your home for 3-5 minutes at one time at the highest flow rate that you can without causing splashing or flooding of drains to flush your service connection and interior plumbing with water from the water service main.
- To flush automatic ice makers, make three batches of ice and discard.
- Run water softeners/cartridge filters through a regeneration cycle. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines specified in the owner’s manual.
- Run drinking water fountains for one minute at the highest flow rate possible.
- Drain and refill your hot water heater if the temperature is set below 113 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Water reservoirs in tall buildings should be drained and refilled (as applicable).
Additionally, as the system has fully recovered from the issue, customers in these communities and surrounding towns no longer need to conserve their non-essential water use and may resume using water as usual, according to the statement.
If customers have any questions, call 1-800-272-1325.