UPDATE: Boil Water Alert Lifted In Bloomfield (Here's What To Do Now)

This article was updated on June 26

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — Bloomfield has lifted a boil water advisory that was issued earlier this week.

Bloomfield sent a precautionary boil water alert for local residents on Tuesday, which was expected to last for 36 to 48 hours. Officials advised residents to boil water used for consumption, brushing teeth and washing dishes for at least one minute before use. The use of bottled water was encouraged.

According to an emergency announcement from the township, E. Coli bacteria was found in a single sample obtained during routine sampling. A boil water advisory was then issued "out of an abundance of caution."

The cause wasn't immediately clear. But Bloomfield officials noted that bacterial contamination can happen when increased run-off enters the drinking water source (following heavy rains, for example). It can also happen due to a break in the distribution system (pipes) or a failure in the water treatment process.

"We are completing a comprehensive assessment of our water system and of our monitoring and operational practices to identify and correct any causes of the contamination," officials stated. "We will be flushing hydrants in the immediate vicinity of the positive result and will continue to resample the location as well as others throughout the township."

The township provided an update on the situation on Wednesday afternoon, noting that the boil water advisory has been lifted:

"We are pleased to that subsequent water quality testing shows no presence of e-coli in the drinking water and the water quality to be safe."

Bloomfield residents should take the following measures now that the alert has been lifted, officials said:

• Run your water faucets for 3-5 minutes to flush your service connection and interior plumbing with water from the service main.
• Empty and clean your automatic ice makers and water chillers.
• Drain and refill your hot water heater if the temperature is set below 113 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Service connections with a water softener/cartridge filters should be run through a regeneration cycle or other procedures recommended by the manufacturer.
• Water reservoirs in tall buildings should be drained and refilled (as applicable).

For more information, contact the water department at 973-680-4009.

Mayor Ted Gamble provided some additional background about the situation to Patch on Wednesday afternoon:

"During routine sampling the presence of E. coli bacteria was found in a single sample, out of caution and for the safety of our residents, the township called for a boil water advisory. Thankfully follow-up sampling and investigation determined that there is not, nor has there been, any presence of E. coli in the Bloomfield water system at this time. I want to thank our engineering and water department who worked closely with the NJDEP to ensure the proper protocols were followed during this process."

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