ROCKAWAY TOWNSHIP — Officials issued an emergency boil-water order Saturday after a disturbance in the township’s largest well led to a gray discharge in the water system.
Effective immediately, the order said homeowners should "vigorously and completely" boil any water meant for human consumption for a full minute past the moment it begins to bubble continuously.
"This is to mitigate any microbial pathogen contamination," said the order, which was released by the township water utility.
It also asked residents to conserve water, which will likely have a gray discoloration for several days until clear water flushes it from the system.
One of the town’s main wells broke Saturday as the storm approached, and water sampling and repairs will have to wait until after the weekend, Mayor Michael Puzio said.
“The problem is in the well field with a pump that appears to have a hole in the casing, creating a stirring effect for sediments, which is why the water appears to be cloudy,” said Township Council President Tucker Kelley.
“Tomorrow a contracted company will come to scope the line.” The utility is working with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to determine what caused the issues and what measures will fix it, the order said.
Updates will be posted to the town’s website.
Puzio said the testing and repairs will take place regardless of Monday’s holiday.
Report coming soon