Boil Water Advisory Updated By Water Company After Hoboken Main Break (See Photos Below)

HOBOKEN, NJ — Hoboken's water utility, Veolia water, released a message at 5 p.m. Tuessday telling residents citywide to continue boiling their water until further notice.

The city said this applies even if they use a water filter (see guidance below).

Several roads remain closed near the entrance to town, the city said.

Hoboken's water company is responding to a 12" main break at the intersection of Newark and Garden Streets in Hoboken, blocks from the city's entrance from Jersey City, the city said earlier on Tuesday.

The situation forced some businesses in the area to close early or stop serving certain items.

Additionally, at approximately 1:45 p.m., a second break was reported on Ninth Street between Garden and Bloomfield Streets, the the city said. Residents are asked to avoid that area as well.

Water is being distributed at:

• Monroe Gardens, 221 Jackson St.
• Multi Service Center, 400 First St.
• Fox Hill Gardens, 311 13th St.

Garden Street from Observer Highway to First Street and Newark Street from Bloomfield Street to Park Avenue is closed to all traffic, the city said.

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Why Are There So Many Breaks?

Some parts of Hoboken’s water system are more than 100 years old, the city has noted. As cast-iron pipes age, they become brittle and are more prone to break from changes in temperature, pressure fluctuations, or vibrations.

In May of 2022, water crews found a pipe from 1890 during street work in Hoboken (see the pipe embossed with "1890" here.)

Parts of the system have been upgraded over the years and are still being upgraded.

Beginning in 1994, the city of Hoboken sold the rights to the water system until 2024, the city noted on Tuesday.

A 30-year revenue stream of approximately $240 million was sold to United Water (now Veolia) in exchange for $13.2 million dollars in one-time payments.

"That former agreement required Veolia to make almost no proactive investment in Hoboken’s water infrastructure," the city said. "In the past two plus decades, only $350,000 per year was invested in the system."

In May of 2019, the city and then-Suez entered into a new water service contract investing at least $33 million in water infrastructure upgrades through 2034. The amended agreement established a new public water utility on July 1, 2019.

The City's Water Main ReplacementProject has already replaced over 25,000 linear feet (nearly five miles) of aging water mains since 2016, the city said. By the end of 2025, that total will grow to approximately 29,000 linear feet, the city said.

The city plans another 12,000 linear feet by 2030, representing nearly 20 percent of Hoboken’s entire water main system, the city said.

'Boil Water' Advisory

"Residents and businesses should boil their water for at least one minute for the following even if their water is filtered at home: drinking, cooking, baking, washing dishes, making ice cubes, taking medication, brushing teeth, washing food, mixing baby formula, mixing juices or drinks, feeding pets or other consumption," the city said.

"Low water pressure could potentially allow for the presence of harmful microbes in the system. Microbes in drinking water can cause illness and could pose a special health risk for infants, some elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems. Water does not have to be boiled for showering or washing clothes."

See the rest of the advisory here.