Officials from United Water today issued a boil water advisory for its customers in Bergen and North Hudson counties. Customers should boil their water for one minute for the following: drinking, cooking or baking, making ice cubes, taking medication, brushing teeth, washing food, mixing baby formula or food, mixing juices or drinks, feeding pets and all other consumption.  Water does not have to be boiled for the following activities: showering, washing dishes or clothes.

For a list of communities served by United Water, click here.

The boil water advisory was issued due to problems at the Haworth Water Treatment Plant following lightening strikes during last night’s storm. Lightning affected power provided by PSE&G as well as the emergency generators at the water treatment plant.

Customers must use water for essential purposes only during this emergency. “This means absolutely no outdoor water use,” said Jim Glozzy, vice president and general manager of United Water New Jersey.  “We must save water for health and safety purposes including fire protection. The most important thing customers can do right now is to shut off their sprinkler systems and stop watering their lawns until the power problem is resolved.”

The Bergen County Department of Health Services asks everyone to conserve water by taking quick showers or baths, turning off water while brushing teeth or shaving, and only using dishwashers when full.

Customers may have discolored water, low water pressure or no water.

Customers must continue to boil water and cease outdoor water usage until further notice.

United Water New Jersey provides water service to more than 750,000 residents in Bergen and Hudson counties in New Jersey. Its parent company, United Water, provides water and wastewater services to 7 million people in the United States.

More information about this problem and water conservation is available on the United Water New Jersey web site:  http://www.unitedwater.com/uwnj/