Water main break in Somerville, N.J. forces schools and businesses to close

SOMERVILLE, N.J. — A 36-inch water main broke in Somerville, New Jersey, on Wednesday morning, leaving most of the borough without any service.

However, officials said they were making progress on repairs, but added they could take days to complete.

The break was reported at around 6:30 a.m. on Route 206 between South Bridge and Orlando Drive. The northbound road was closed while repairs were being made. 

Bridgewater-Raritan and Somerville schools were closed, along with Somerville’s Borough Hall and the library. Borough Hall was reopened later in the day.

Somerville Mayor Brian Gallagher said precautionary measures had to be taken across the borough, including at a nearby hospital.

“Our emergency management operations plan, we immediately contacted sistering municipalities. We brought in water tankers as standbys when the water pressure was so low we couldn’t get water out,” Gallagher said.

As for the main, he said repairs will take some time.

“They managed to get the water turned off to the main where the leak was, which is now beginning to re-pressurize the system,” Gallagher said.

Businesses were also told to shut down.

“It was rough. As we were opening up for business, we got the alert. Then we got the advisory from Somerville to shut us down … all the businesses on this block here,” said Jim Nelson, manager of Playa Bowls. “We’re done for the day anyway and we’re hoping we can open back up tomorrow.”

Boil water advisory in effect

At around 11 a.m., officials said water pressure was returning slowly in much of the town, but officials asked residents to conserve.

New Jersey American Water said a boil water advisory is in place for drinking water where service was restored, including Bridgewater, Raritan Borough and Somerville. Residents were advised to bring tap water up to a rolling boil for a minute and then allow it to cool before using it. Residents were told to throw away any ice cubes made with water that wasn’t boiled, and were urged not to swallow water while showering or bathing. 

There was no word yet on when normal service will be restored. 

Click here for more information from New Jersey American Water.

Street closures, detours in the area

The New Jersey Department of Transportation said Route 206 repairs could take two or three days, and offers the following detour guidelines: 

Route 206 northbound detour:

• Motorists on Route 206 northbound will be directed to turn right onto Dukes Parkway East
• Turn left onto North Main Street/CR 533, which becomes Finderne Avenue
• Turn left onto East Main Street/CR 612
• Turn left onto Somerset Street, back to Route 206

Route 206 northbound to Somerset Street detour:

• Motorists on Route 206 northbound wishing to take the Somerset Street exit will be directed to continue on Route 206 northbound to the Somerville Circle
• Take the first exit for Route 28/West End Avenue eastbound
• Turn right onto Somerset Street

The Somerset Street exit ramp is expected to reopen Wednesday evening, and a lane of northbound Route 206 traffic may reopen before Thursday’s rush hour.