As a result of loss of water pressure from a transmission main leak along Possumtown Road in Piscataway, New Jersey American Water has issued a mandatory boil water advisory for customers in Edison.
A potential or actual threat to the quality of water being provided to areas in Middlesex County currently exists, according to information provided by American Water.
Effective immediately and until further notice, customers within the impacted area are instructed to bring tap water to a rolling boil for one minute and allow cooling before using or use bottled water, according to the statement. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking; preparing foods; mixing baby formula, food, juices or drinks; washing vegetables and fruit; cooking; making ice; brushing teeth; and washing dishes until further notice. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water.
New Jersey American Water also recommends the following steps:
- 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.
- Do not swallow water while showering or bathing.
- 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.
- Use only water that has been boiled (and cooled) to treat minor injuries.
- Rinse hand-washed dishes with a diluted bleach solution (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.
- Upon boiling water for potable use, it is suggested that 2-3 gallons of boiled (and cooled) water be stored in the refrigerator in one gallon-containers for use in cooking, drinking, etc. Water can be stored in this manner for 2-3 days.
- Pets should be provided with drinking water that has been boiled (and cooled) in the manner indicated above.
Impacted customers are being notified of this boil water advisory via the company’s emergency notification system.
Additionally, they are also asked to limit their water use to essential purposes only while New Jersey American Water works to repair the transmission main and restore the flow of water to its system, according to the statement.
Updates are available at www.newjerseyamwater.com under Alerts.
If customers have any questions, call 1-800-272-1325.