Nutley Water Main Break Was ‘One Of Worst I’ve Ever Seen,’ Official Says

NUTLEY, NJ — A water main break that a local official called “one of the worst” he’s ever seen took place in Nutley last weekend.

According to the township, the break took place Sunday on Prospect Street near Race Street. Some residents and businesses in the area experienced discolored water or low pressure.

“Brown water occurs when the flow of water in the mains is altered,” township officials said. “That can occur from unauthorized use of fire hydrants, firefighting, or a water main break.”

“Please note that even though it is discolored, the water is still safe,” the advisory stated.

Affected residents should run their taps for 10 or 15 minutes, the township said.

Nutley commissioner Joseph Scarpelli, who serves as the director of the public works department, gave municipal employees a big thumbs-up for working in the frigid winter weather.

“This is one of the worst water main breaks and most extensive repairs I’ve seen in 17 years as the public works commissioner,” he commented, adding that one of the reasons it was such a tricky repair was because the water main changes elevation to go over a storm culvert.

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