Showers, Bathrooms Offered To Bridgewater Residents Impacted By Water Main Break

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Showers and bathrooms are being offered by local YMCAs to all residents impacted by the water main break on Route 206 in Somerville.

"All impacted residents (Y members or not) are invited to visit Bridgewater YMCA, Hillsborough YMCA, Somerset Hills YMCA & Princeton YMCA for shower and restroom," said Bridgewater YMCA.

Photo ID is required.

According to the YMCA, the water main break has an estimated 96 hours until repair. NJ American Water has not confirmed this.

A major water main break of a 36-inch line was reported on Route 206 in Somerville on Friday around 4 p.m. Read More: Major Water Main Break Closes Rt. 206, Restaurants: No Water In Areas

As a result part of the highway is closed. Drivers are asked to follow the posted State Department of Transportation detour.

Additionally, stores such as Costco in Bridgewater were pretty much sold out of water on Friday evening.

A mandatory boil water advisory is in effect for customers residing in Bridgewater, Hillsborough, Raritan Borough, and Somerville due to a 36-inch water main break on Route 206 in Somerville.

"A potential or actual threat to the quality of water being provided to the above area currently exists. As a precaution, we are implementing a limited Boil Water Advisory until testing of the water supply is deemed satisfactory. New Jersey American Water will provide information as to when the advisory is lifted," said NJ American Water.

Residents in those areas are told to bring tap water to a rolling boil for one minute and allow cooling before using or use bottled water.

Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking; preparing foods; mixing baby formula, food, juices or drinks; washing vegetables and fruit; cooking; making ice; brushing teeth; and washing dishes until further notice. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water.

New Jersey American Water also recommends the following steps:

• 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.
• Do not swallow water while showering or bathing.
• 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.
• Use only water that has been boiled (and cooled) to treat minor injuries.
• Rinse hand-washed dishes with a diluted bleach solution (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.
• Upon boiling water for potable use, it is suggested that 2-3 gallons of boiled (and cooled) water be stored in the refrigerator in one gallon-containers for use in cooking, drinking, etc. Water can be stored in this manner for 2-3 days.
• Pets should be provided with drinking water that has been boiled (and cooled) in the manner indicated above.

As a result, the Bridgewater Commons mall and many surrounding businesses in Bridgewater and Raritan were forced to close as a result of no water.

NJ American Water is working to resolve the issue as quickly and safely as possible. Updates as they occur will be made available on the website at www.newjerseyamwater.com, under Alerts, and on the company’s Twitter and Facebook pages. If customers have any questions, they may call 1-800-272-1325.

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