American Water
American Water  
HomeContact UsPress RoomInvestor RelationsCorporate ResponsibilityService Line ProtectionProducts & ServicesCareersLearning Center

News

Barrier Island Update - Ocean County - February 1, 2013

The Mantoloking sewer system is operational, so ALL customers on the Barrier Island in Ocean County can request their water service to be turned on. When you would like have your water service turned back on, please contact our Customer Service Center at 1-800-652-6987 to schedule an appointment. Appointments can be made all week, Monday through Sunday, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Appointments can also be made online using My H2O Online, our web self-service tool by logging onto www.amwater.com/myh2o. If you haven’t already registered for this service, you’ll need to have your account number. In case there are leaks in the internal plumbing or faucets inadvertently turned on within your home or business, you or a representative must be home at the time of the appointment. Our field service representative will let you know once they are onsite if your home or property has been damaged such that it prevents the water service from being restored. 

Barrier Island Update - January 21, 2013

Restoration of service lines and water meters in Brick and Toms River is progressing well. Beginning this week, our crews will begin using GPS in the Ortley Beach area to "pre locate" meters, valves and hydrants. The municipal sewer system in Mantoloking is not yet in service, and as a result we are unable to turn on water service there. We've been told it will be about mid February until the sewers are fixed and water service is available there. Remember: it's winter and temperatures are dropping. If your house doesn't have heat, take steps to ensure your home's water lines are not in danger of freezing.

Barrier Island Update - January 2, 2013

With most of the Barrier Island's water distribution infrastructure now in place and operational, New Jersey American Water operations there are transitioning to reestablishing individual service to the 8,900 customer accounts that were impacted by Superstorm Sandy. For some customers this means restoring service lines, meter pits, meters, and their various components (lids, pits, meter reading RF devices, etc.) Following Sandy, we were able to locate and physically shut off the water to 6,125 customers at our valves near the curbs. the remaining nearly 2,800 valves and meters are still buried under sand and other storm-related debris. We estimate there are probably a thousand meter pits and hundreds of service lines (from the main to the meter pit) that have to be replaced. As we are contacted by customers, and coordinating with municipal leaders, we are turning some water services back on. So far, more than 200 accounts have been turned back on. We have five or more crews working continuously on the island, and are bringing in workers from around the state to ensure customers can get their water service turned back on when they need it.  Billing will be reactivated once services are turned back on, and meter reading restarts. Customers can call customer service at 1-800-652-6987 to inquire whether or not their service is available for turn on, and schedule it, if available.

Barrier Island Update - December 27, 2012

UPDATE: DRINKING WATER NOTICE NEW JERSEY AMERICAN WATER LIFTS “DO NOT CONSUME” ORDER FOR CUSTOMERS ON OCEAN COUNTY’s BARRIER ISLAND

Este informe contiene información muy importante sobre su agua de beber. Tradúzcalo o hable con alguien que lo entienda bien.

VOORHEES, N.J. (December 27, 2012) – New Jersey American Water customers who are returning to their homes on Ocean County’s Barrier Island in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy can once again use the water for drinking and cooking. The Do Not Consume order has been lifted for all New Jersey American Water customers, as results of water quality testing have confirmed that water quality meets drinking water standards.

This lift notice applies to New Jersey American customers in the following communities:
· Brick Twp.
· Dover (Toms River) Twp. ( including Chadwick Beach and Normandy Beach)
· Lavallette Boro (New Jersey American Water customers only)
· Mantoloking Boro
· Ortley Beach
· Pelican Island (Previously lifted December 19, 2012)

When the Do Not Consume is Lifted
As a precaution, the company recommends that customers on the barrier island where the Do Not Consume notice was lifted take the following measures to turn over the water in the customers' service lines and plumbing:
· Run your water faucets for 3-5 minutes to thoroughly flush your service connection and interior plumbing with water from the service main.
· Empty and clean your automatic ice makers and water chillers and replace any associated filters.
· Drain and refill your hot water heater if the temperature is set below 113 degrees Fahrenheit.
· Service connections with a water softener/cartridge filters should be run through a regeneration cycle or other procedures recommended by the manufacturer.
· Water reservoirs in tall buildings should be drained and refilled.

As the company continues its restoration work on the barrier islands, some customers still require service line installation before they can access their water service. These customers should call New Jersey American Water’s customer service at 1-800-652-6987.

New Jersey American Water thanks its customers for their patience and cooperation as we continue to restore water service as a result of this event. Customers are encouraged to share this information with other New Jersey American Water customers in the affected area listed above.

For updates, visit www.newjerseyamwater.com or www.facebook.com/newjerseyamericanwater.

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

Barrier Island Update - December 19, 2012

UPDATE: DRINKING WATER NOTICE
NEW JERSEY AMERICAN WATER LIFTS “DO NOT CONSUME” ORDER FOR CUSTOMERS ON PELICAN ISLAND

Este informe contiene información muy importante sobre su agua de beber. Tradúzcalo o hable con alguien que lo entienda bien.

New Jersey American Water customers who are returning to their homes on Pelican Island in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy can once again use the water for drinking and cooking. The Do Not Consume order has been lifted for customers on Pelican Island, as results of water quality testing have confirmed that water quality meets drinking water standards.

This lift notice applies to New Jersey American customers in the following communities:
• Pelican Island

Do Not Consume Still in Effect for Other Portions of the Barrier Islands
Restoration work is still underway in some areas. NOTE: The DO NOT CONSUME order still applies to customers in Ocean County in the following communities until further notice by New Jersey American Water that the water supply is safe for drinking. Customers may continue to use tap water to wash hands, dishes, bathing (except infants and toddlers) and laundry:
• Brick Twp.
• Dover (Toms River) Twp. ( New Jersey American Water customers on the barrier island  only including Chadwick Beach and Normandy Beach)
• Lavallette Boro (New Jersey American Water customers only)
• Mantoloking Boro
• Ortley Beach

When the Do Not Consume is Lifted
As a precaution, the company recommends that customers on Pelican Island where the Do Not Consume notice was lifted take the following measures to turn over the water in the customers' service lines and plumbing:
• Run your water faucets for 3-5 minutes to flush your service connection and interior plumbing with water from the service main.
• Empty and clean your automatic ice makers and water chillers.
• Drain and refill your hot water heater if the temperature is set below 113 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Service connections with a water softener/cartridge filters should be run through a regeneration cycle or other procedures recommended by the manufacturer.
• Water reservoirs in tall buildings should be drained and refilled.

New Jersey American Water thanks its customers for their patience and cooperation as we continue to restore water service as a result of this event. Customers are encouraged to share this information with other New Jersey American Water customers in the affected area listed above.

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

Barrier Island Update - December 17, 2012

Recharging, that is filling the pipes with water under pressure, across the system on the barrier island has been completed. Nearly all of the fire hydrants in the system are functioning, which means that the island has fire service available. Where it is possible, we are making every effort to isolate customer homes by shutting off our valves in the street. However, many of these valves – as many as 30 % -- are still covered by storm debris and inaccessible to our crews. We will continue to circle back and attempt to isolate customers as we are able. Customers should ensure that their water is turned off at their house's main valve. Leak detection crews should complete their inspection of the system by tomorrow (Tuesday 12/18/2012.) So far, no major problems have been identified.

The DO NOT DRINK status of the water will remain in place until flushing and water quality sampling is completed.
System flushing in Bay Head, Mantoloking, and Brick is complete. Toms River flushing is almost complete, to be followed by flushing in Ortley Beach. Target for flushing completion is Dec. 27.

Water quality appears to be shaping up. We are working closely with NJ Department of Environmental Protection to “clear” the system once the flushing is completed. This requires that multiple water samples must pass water quality testing. All Samples taken to date in Ocean County have passed, but there are several samples to go.

When we have permission from the DEP to lift the DO NO DRINK order, we will notify customers with a robocall, and a letter. Additionally, please check our Website and Facebook pages for updates.

Barrier Island Update - Toms River - 12-15-2012

The water system in New Jersey's section of Toms River is fully charged and is now being flushed. We expect to conduct water quality tests within the next week. We still have a Do Not Drink order for our customers in the area until our tests are conducted and come back clean. It is important to note that we proactively turned off as many services as we could access. When customers return to their homes, they will need to call us to have their service and accounts reactivated. We will schedule the turn on and the customer must be present when we turn the water on in the event their are internal leaks. We will inspect both our side of the service and the customers to check for leaks.

Barrier Island Water Service Restoration Update: REMINDER to Turn Off Your Water Valve - 12-10-2012

Barrier Island Customers Should Ensure Water at Their Building’s Main Valve is Turned off, or Risk Damage as the Company Restores Pressure to Water Service

As New Jersey American Water methodically restores water service on Ocean County’s north barrier island, customers there should ensure that their home’s water is turned off at the building’s main shut off valve. Street by street, company crews are locating, inspecting and, as necessary repairing or replacing water mains and hydrants. The mains are then filled with water and the pressure is raised to ensure the area with adequate fire protection.

“To compliment the homeowner precautionary measures that should have already been executed, we have visited all properties, and where possible have shut off the water service from our valve at the curb.  We will continue to restore pressure to the fire hydrants which will pressurize our customers’ water service,” said Stephen Schmitt, vice president of operations for New Jersey American Water.

Debris removal can inhibit access to the company’s isolation valves out in the street, so New Jersey American Water asks that its customers on the barrier island shut off the main valves in their homes to reduce the risk to their properties since the company has not been able to turn off every service. “We recommended that customers shut off their water at the main valve prior to evacuation,” said Schmitt. “If they didn’t, then we ask that they ensure it is off as soon as they can access their property. We will continue to turn off water at the meters as we can access them, and we ask that customers work with us to help efficiently restore service.”

Storm Update - 11-29-2012

Barrier Island Water System Restoration Update New Jersey American Water Using a Three-Pronged Approach to get the Water Flowing Again on the Post-Sandy Barrier Island

New Jersey American Water is restoring water service to the barrier island communities in its service areas using a three-pronged approach that began as soon as crews could safely enter on the island following Hurricane Sandy. The company has divided the island into three zones: north (Bayhead), middle (Mantoloking to Lavalette), and south (Ortley Beach and Pelican Island), in order to better manage and accelerate the restoration effort.  

In the service areas south of Bayhead, approximately 9,000 customers have been notified that their accounts have been suspended pending completion of  both customer and water system restoration work.  Clearance from municipal wastewater agencies, confirming their system is ready to accept sanitary sewer flows, will also be required before reactivating water service. Customer water service lines are being isolated at the curb where possible but debris placement and other damage is hindering this effort in some areas.  Customers are advised to shut off the main water service valve in their homes or businesses to prevent further damage or freeze up of plumbing.   Water for fire protection is a priority and the Company is coordinating daily with local officials on this work.  

North Zone (Bayhead)
• With the exception of about 65 houses severely damaged by the storm l water service has been restored.
• In the storm damaged area water mains, hydrants and service lines are being replaced and this work is scheduled to be complete by early December.

Center Zone (Mantoloking to North of Lavalette)
• Water mains have water and pressure east and west of Route 35, as far south as Lyman Ave. (where the storm breached the island).
• Reconstruction of  water mains  on RT35 between Lyman & the Mantoloking Bridge is proceeding in coordination with road reconstruction and are estimated to be complete  in  mid December.
• South of breached area water mains, services and hydrants in the side streets are being pressurized and checked for leaks in a systematic fashion with identified repairs documented and repair work scheduled.

South Zone (Ortley Beach/Pelican Island)
• Assessment of side streets in the area is underway and numerous leaks and main breaks have been detected.  Repair work is being planned and scheduled.
• The water mains on Pelican Island  have water and pressure. Customer service lines have been shut off but  hydrants are available for fire service.
• Replacement of about 4000' of  water main on Bay Blvd. will begin on the first week of December, with estimated completion by end of the month. An additional 4000’  water main will  be replaced on Ocean Ave. (Harding to 3rd.). The start date for this project has yet to be determined as the area is currently inaccessible.

Storm Update - 11-9-2012

DRINKING WATER WARNING
NEW JERSEY AMERICAN WATER ISSUES “DO NOT CONSUME” ORDER FOR SOME CUSTOMERS ON OCEAN COUNTY BARRIER ISLAND

New Jersey American Water customers, who are returning to their homes along Ocean County’s barrier island in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, are advised not to drink water or use water for cooking as the company is assessing the condition of its pipes, pumps and valves in those areas and has been unable to monitor water quality. Those returning to their homes are further advised to bring bottled water with them.

As New Jersey American Water restarts its facilities in the area to fill water storage tanks needed to restore fire protection and facilitate recovery operations, the company is also sampling its water to ensure that it meets state and federal guidelines for drinking water.

This advisory does not apply to customers in Bay Head, as their water system is not impacted. Ocean County customers in the following communities should not consume water until otherwise notified by New Jersey American Water that the water supply is safe for drinking:

• Brick Twp. (New Jersey American Water customers on the barrier island only)
• Dover (Toms River) Twp. ( New Jersey American Water customers on the barrier island  only including Chadwick Beach and Normandy Beach)
• Lavallette Boro (New Jersey American Water customers only)
• Mantoloking Boro
• Ortley Beach
• Pelican Island

New Jersey American Water recommends that the aforementioned customers use bottled water for: drinking, cooking, preparing juices, drinks, making coffee, tea, soup, ice cubes, infant formula, brushing teeth; and washing fruits and vegetables.

Customers may continue to use tap water to wash hands, dishes, bathing (except infants and toddlers), and laundry.

New Jersey American Water asks customers to locate their water shut-off valve and turn off their water if they intend to vacate their homes for the winter season.