Residents in three North Jersey towns must still boil water before using it after a 600,000-pound construction crane crushed an underground water main.

CLIFFSIDE PARK (AP) — Residents in three North Jersey towns must still boil water before using it after a 600,000-pound construction crane crushed an underground water main.

The boom of a crane that crushed a water main break in Cliffside Park (Cliffwood Pilot)

County Executive James Tedesco on Thursday said about 36 customers are still without water and likely will have service restored by 6 p.m.

Authorities say the accident happened Wednesday in Cliffside Park when the crane's boom was lowered to the ground for repairs to a sensor. Crews began to raise the boom when they noticed water coming out of the street.

The weight of the crane damaged the 24-inch water main.

Workers are removing the crane and boom from Anderson Avenue, which is expected to reopen on Friday.

The boil water is in effect for Cliffside Park, Englewood Cliffs and Fort Lee.