Nine towns affected by water limits

As a result of a water main break last week, as well as dry weather conditions, New Jersey American Water Co. has issued mandatory outdoor water use restrictions for all of its customers in Monmouth and Ocean counties.

Spokeswoman Maureen Duffy said pipeline repairs are still being made to the 24-inch main on Newman Springs Road between Hance Avenue and Half Mile Road on the Lincroft/Tinton Falls border that broke last Monday.

Customers in nine towns, including Red Bank, Shrewsbury Township and Borough, Rumson, Eatontown, Little Silver, Fair Haven, Oceanport and the north end of Tinton Falls, were without water on the afternoon of Sept. 19.

The water service was back on by 6 p.m. for most residents, but there was some concern about contamination, so on Tuesday, Sept. 20, residents were being told to boil their water and members of various Community Emergency Response Teams were handing out free gallons of water at the Shrewsbury Municipal Building.

Duffy said there was no evidence of contamination, so people do not have to boil their water any longer. But until the water main is completely fixed, people are being asked to conserve.

The mandatory restrictions include no watering of existing lawns, nor washing of cars, except at commercial car-washing facilities that use recycled water.

Recommendations also include conserving water use by not running the water while brushing teeth or shaving, washing only full loads in washing machines or dishwashers, cooling drinking water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap and checking faucets for leaks.

New Jersey American Water customers can contact the customer call center at 1-800-652-6987.