State of Emergency in Monmouth County

Following a water main break at the Swimming River Reservoir the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders declared a state of emergency for all county residents.

According to a press release from the county, 18 towns with water service from New Jersey American Water were affected by three "large water mains," which broke on this afternoon. As a result, many residents saw either a loss or elimination of their water supply.

Residents in Monmouth County are now required to no longer do

nonessential outdoor water use and limit indoor use," the release said. New Jersey American Water Company customers should follow a "boil-water advisory."

Freeholder Director John P. Curley said:

All of Monmouth County is in a state of emergency because New Jersey American Water Co. may have to feed off other utilities throughout the weekend. We need to pull together during this critical time and help one another by conserving water.

Sheriff Shaun Golden said the ban will be "strictly enforced," throughout the county.

These restrictions are not just for New Jersey American Water customers, but for everyone in Monmouth County. Cooperation is necessary in order to maintain public safety.

The mandatory restrictions for all Monmouth County residents include the following:

No watering of existing lawns, trees, shrubs and gardens;
No use of water for nonessential reasons, and
Washing cars is prohibited except at commercial car washes that recycle water.

Towns directly affected by this crisis include:

Middletown
Holmdel
Aberdeen
Highlands
Rumson
Fair Haven
Little Silver
Oceanport
Sea Bright
Tinton Falls
Shrewsbury
Long Branch
Eatontown
West Long Branch
Deal
Allenhurst
Loch Arbor
Neptune

New Jersey American Water recommends the following steps for these customers:

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;

Rinse hand-washed dishes for a minute in diluted bleach (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.
Do not swallow water while you are showering or bathing;
Provide pets with boiled water after cooling;
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, and
Use only boiled water to treat minor injuries.

[source: Little Silver Patch]