Water Main Work on Orange, Brooklawn Roads Starts April 22

Residents around Orange and Brooklawn roads will have their water turned off and may experience disruptions between April 22 and 24 as the Montclair Water Bureau cleans water mains. 

The Montclair Water Bureau will use a “hyper-flushing” process in the south end of town to improve water flows. The work will take place between Monday and Wednesday, April 22 to 24, and will require shutting off water service in the area for a number of hours each day. 

The Water Bureau has notified all customers who will be affected by the service interruption.

Hyper-flushing is a method of effectively removing heavy corrosion deposits from water lines and biological contaminants from the water system. The process involves power-jetting water mains with potable water.

“This cleaning process will increase fire hydrant flow capacity and improve water quality with relatively minimum disruption to customers,” said Department of Utilities Director Gary Obszarny. “And it will be done at a much lower cost and shorter service disruption than if we used procedures that require excavation."

The hyper-flushing program is first being used on the south end's Orange and Brooklawn roads water mains. The township reported there have been issues with hydrant flows in the area, which the work will correct. 

Water will be shut off in work areas while the mains are cleaned.

Township staff will drop off bottled water to each household during the service disruption: two gallons on the first day, and one gallon on each other day.

In addition, the Water Bureau will make every effort to ensure that those with special needs have access to all they require during the water outages.

Some water discoloration may occur after the process is completed, however once the mains are flushed, the discoloration will disappear.

Should any issues arise during service disruptions, customers are asked to call the Water Bureau at (973) 744-4600 during the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Hyper-flushing schedule:

Monday, April 22
7:30 a.m. -- Set up.
8:30 a.m. -- Water is shut off on Orange Road from Rosedale Avenue to the Orange town line.

The water main will be cleaned from hydrant 321 to hydrant 320 Rosedale Avenue -- about 820 feet of pipe. Depending on the severity of corrosion build-up, water service may be shut off for up to 10 hours.

Tuesday, April 23
8:30 a.m. -- Water is shut off on Orange Road.
Flushing will take place for approximately 6 hours to clean the line from hydrant 321 to Bob’s Cleaners.

If the line corrosion is not too heavy, work will move to Brooklawn Road. Otherwise a third day will be required -- should there be any major changes in scheduling, the Water Bureau will re-notify customers.

Wednesday, April 24

Brooklawn Road main will be cleaned. Orange Road water services will be off for approximately one hour to clean the piping tee that connects the lines of Brooklawn and Orange Roads.