Source: Suez Water
Due to impacts from tropical storm Ida, there was a breach in the wall of the Jersey City Aqueduct, which allowed surface water to enter and increase the turbidity levels in the drinking water.
A water sample taken on September 2, 2021 showed turbidity levels of greater than 10 nephelometric turbidity units. This is above the standard of 1 nephelometric turbidity unit. Because of these high levels, there is an increased chance that the water may contain disease-causing organisms.
Turbidity has no health effects. However, turbidity can interfere with disinfection and provide a medium for microbial growth. Turbidity may indicate the presence of disease-causing organisms and inadequately treated/disinfected water may contain disease-causing organisms. These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites which can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches.
These symptoms are not caused only by organisms in drinking water. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, you may want to seek medical advice from your health care provider.
Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and food preparation until further notice. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water.
Bring all water to a boil, let it boil for one minute, and let it cool before using, or use bottled water.
If you have a severely compromised immune system, have an infant, are pregnant, or are elderly, you may be at increased risk and should seek advice from your health care providers about drinking this water. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.
Emergency crews are on site repairing the aqueduct; repairs are expected to be completed this evening. We anticipate resolving the problem as quickly as possible, and will inform you when turbidity returns to appropriate levels.