Hoboken faces boil water advisory after major pipe break
- A 36-inch water main broke at the Hoboken-Jersey City border, leading to a boil water advisory for Hoboken.
- Crews are working to repair the break while residents are advised to boil drinking water due to concerns of harmful microbes.
- The situation highlights the need for infrastructure upgrades as most pipes in the area are over 100 years old.
A significant water main break occurred on February 18, 2025, near the intersection of 18th Street and Jersey Avenue, which is at the border of Hoboken and Jersey City, New Jersey. The incident involved a 36-inch main that ruptured, prompting Veolia Water to implement a boil water advisory specifically for the Hoboken area while the advisory for Jersey City was later lifted. Following the break, emergency teams were deployed to repair the damaged infrastructure, which is reported to include pipes that are at least a century old, indicating structural issues that led to the failure. Residents experienced fluctuations in water pressure and were advised to boil water before consumption or use for cooking, as the loss of pressure could introduce harmful microbes into the water supply, posing health risks particularly to vulnerable populations such as infants and the elderly. Schools in Hoboken operated with a delayed opening, and some businesses were forced to close early due to the water disruption. As repairs progressed, Veolia Water provided updates that pressure was being restored, but the advisory remained in place until it was deemed safe. This situation shed light on the aging infrastructure of the water distribution system in the area, underscoring the urgency for upgrades and potential preventive measures to avert future incidents. In conclusion, while emergency repairs were underway and water pressure was beginning to normalize, the health and safety of residents became a primary concern due to the immediate need for clean, safe drinking water during this advisory period.