Saturday Water Main Break Affects As Many as 200

A water main break Saturday morning forced a service shutdown at a building on Bridge Plaza North, United Water officials said.

The break was reported at about 7:30 a.m. Saturday, and emergency crews were dispatched shortly thereafter, officials said.

The main was isolated, and service disruption was limited to one building—201 Bridge Plaza North— affecting 150 to 200 tenants, according to a United Water spokesman, who said the main was back in service by about 11:50 p.m. Saturday.

“The main is 12 inches in diameter and was made of cast iron, a material commonly used in water mains half a century ago,” said United Water communications director Steven Goudsmith. “This was a particularly challenging repair, as the main sits on solid rock. Cast iron, which is no longer manufactured for water mains, has proven to be unreliable, as it is subject to corrosion and breakage.”

Goudsmith also said New Jersey customers will benefit from a new program intended to “reduce the number of main breaks and emergency repairs.”

“The Distribution System Infrastructure Charge (DSIC) is a mechanism that will allow accelerated investment to replace and rehabilitate drinking water infrastructure,” Goudsmith said. “Customers will benefit from more efficient and timely investment of capital, significant progress in replacing aging infrastructure, enhanced service quality and the reduction of water lost through leaks.”

The NJ Board of Public Utilities (BPU) will oversee the new “regulatory tool,” according to Goudsmith, who said residential customers should see a “maximum monthly increase” of about $1.77 in their bills as a result.