At a news conference with New Jersey American Water officials, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie urged customers of the company in Monmouth County to cease outdoor water use, as New Jersey American Water works to re-establish normal water service to more than 95,000 customers. On Friday, a bridge holding three large water mains collapsed at the company's Swimming River Water Treatment Plant disrupting the distribution of water throughout Monmouth County. There are also 22 towns in Monmouth County under a boil water advisory.

"This is about the lousiest time of year this could possibly happen," said Gov. Christie. "We can get through the next two days, effectively using (New Jersey American Water and Monmouth County emergency officials), if you help by conserving water. So please, do not water your lawns, do not water your plants, don't fill your pools - don't do that for the next 48 hours at least."

New Jersey American Water has made gradual progress toward restoring normal service. The company is receiving additional supplies of water from nearby water purveyors, and has installed temporary water lines to distribute water to its Monmouth County customers. New Jersey American Water has also brought pumps from its other facilities to move "raw" water from the Swimming River Reservoir to be treated at the plant. The company has acquired a 36-inch water pipe from a supplier in Alabama, which is expected to arrive and be installed in the next few days. Once the temporary 36-inch pipe is installed, the Swimming River Water Treatment Plant will be able to resume close to normal operations.

The towns impacted by the boiled water advisory are:

  • Aberdeen
  • Allenhurst
  • Deal
  • Eatontown
  • Fair Haven
  • Lake Como
  • Middletown
  • Monmouth Beach
  • Neptune
  • Oceanport
  • Ocean Township
  • Highlands
  • Holmdel
  • Little Silver
  • Loch Arbor
  • Long Branch
  • Rumson
  • Sea Bright
  • Tinton Falls
  • Shrewsbury Borough
  • Shrewsbury Township
  • West Long Branch

Please note that this is a standard procedure whenever water pressure is lost as a precaution. New Jersey American Water will provide information as to when the advisory is lifted.

The Swimming River Water Treatment Plant plant delivers 36 million gallons of water each day to 95,000 customer accounts.

Impacted customers can receive bottled water at three distribution sites, which will be open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.:

  • Middletown High School North, 63 Tindall Road, Middletown Township, NJ
  • Middletown High School South, 900 Nut Swamp Road, Middletown Township, NJ
  • Wolf Hill Park, 3 Crescent Place, Oceanport, NJ

For updates, customers can visit newjerseyamwater.com or facebook.com/newjerseyamericanwater.

New Jersey American Water, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately 2.5 million people. Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company. With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs more than 7,000 dedicated professionals who provide drinking water, wastewater and other related services to approximately 15 million people in more than 30 states, as well as parts of Canada. More information can be found by visiting www.amwater.com.

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New Jersey American Water
Richard G. Barnes, 856-782-2371
richard.barnes@amwater.com