The HPHA received this information from our JCPD community relations officer this morning:

From: Captain McDonough <jcpdeastdistrict@yahoo.com>
Subject: Water supply shut down

The following is from the Office of Emergency Management:

On Monday, October 1, 2007 United Water Jersey City maintenance crews will shut down the water supply aqueduct for the City of Jersey City to perform an inspection of the 100-year old tunnel system and perform maintenance work at the water treatment plant.

The aqueduct will be closed for about three to four weeks to allow engineering teams the opportunity to inspect the aqueduct. We have made arrangements with other water suppliers in the area (Newark and Passaic Valley Water Commission) to supply the City and its customers with water during the shutdown. You may experience some discolored water while the tunnel is shutdown for inspection.

We are sorry for the temporary inconvenience this may impose but are confident that you support our predictive and preventive maintenance efforts.

The Jersey City Municipal Utilities Authority and their contractors will be performing the inspections. United Water Jersey City will be providing confined space entry operations during this inspection. In case of an emergency, we will notify local area Emergency Management Offices.

We are asking all customers to conserve water during this period. That means using water only for essential purposes such as taking quicker showers in the morning and washing only full loads of dishes and clothes at night.

Our goal is to have minimal, if any, discoloration. Should there be any discoloration, it poses no health threat, but can be aesthetically unpleasant. You should, however, let it run clear before washing clothes.