Repairs Continue On Middletown Water Pipes

New Jersey American Water maintains an outdoor water ban for customers in Monmouth County.

Utility crews continue to work to repair the water main system at the Swimming River Reservoir in Middletown, which collapsed last week and placed Monmouth County in a state of emergency.

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American Water hopes to have the repairs completed in the next couple days, but until further notice, customers should conserve water and adhere to the outdoor water ban. Once the temporary repairs are complete, NJAW officials will meet to decide what their next step should be to allow outdoor water use again.

The Asbury Park Press reports that the ban will likely be "eased" but not completely lifted as not to tax the system.

NJAW also tells the Press they will incur all the related costs to the pipes breaking from police overtime, the trucking in of pipes, overtime for its employees and the bottled water & ice supplied to residents.

A Connecticut company has been contracted by the water utility to investigate the collapse of the bridge.

The County Office of Emergency Management provides the following guidance on the water ban:

• Customers of New Jersey American Water are under a mandatory water restriction that bans all outdoor water use and encourages indoor water conservation.
• It is illegal for NJAW customer to water lawns, shrubs or gardens, fill swimming pools and wash cars;
• All restrictions for non-New Jersey American Water customers have been lifted, although conservation is urged.
• New sod or newly seeded lawns and planted shrubs can be watered to an appropriate level;
• Indoor conservation measures include refraining from using washing machines and dishwashers, limiting showering times and flushing toilets less frequently; and
• Commercial businesses that rely on water for their operations are not subject to these restrictions.

For updates, customers can check the American Water Alerts page or follow them on Facebook.