On February 18, Stevens students were unsurprised by yet another water main break in Jersey City. This latest break disrupted many operations on campus, forcing classes to run remotely last Tuesday and Wednesday. The rupture was due to fluctuations in water pressure during maintenance activities conducted by Veolia, the operators of the local water system. These pressure changes were said to have likely compromised “the integrity of the aging infrastructure,” resulting in the break.
The water main break occurred Tuesday morning, leading to immediate water pressure issues and contamination concerns. Some Hoboken schools announced a 90-minute delay and opened their doors late as a result of the water issues. Stevens sent out an email to all students announcing that all classes would be held remotely and stating that water facilities all over campus were not operational. Portable restroom facilities were installed throughout campus near Palmer Circle and Castle Point Hall, the operating hours of dining facilities were altered, athletic centers closed their doors, and all in-person scheduled events were postponed.
On Tuesday afternoon, Veolia, the water management company responsible for managing water distribution, maintenance, and emergency repairs, issued a precautionary boil water advisory for Hoboken residents, as required by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Residents were advised to boil water for at least one minute before consumption, including for uses such as drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, and washing food. Water used for bathing and cleaning did not require boiling. This measure was necessary because water pressure fell below the recommended levels during repairs, potentially allowing contaminants to enter the system. The boil water advisory made it very difficult for Stevens students to have access to drinking water, so free water bottles were made available for students, staff, and facilities all around campus.
On Tuesday evening, Hudson County Executive Craig Guy met with Hoboken municipal officials to provide clean, potable water to the residents of Jersey City and Hoboken. “Hudson County immediately jumped into action to help bring clean drinking water to our residents,” Guy said.
On Wednesday morning, classes for all students at Stevens were still held remotely, as many facilities on campus still did not have access to clean water. “While there may be intermittent water availability, campus water service remains unreliable,” Stevens emails warned students.
On Thursday, the damaged 36-inch main was repaired, and at this point, classes were finally held in person again, as the water was restored to most buildings, but the boil-water advisory remained to ensure the safety of Hoboken and Jersey City residents. Later that day, after conducting thorough testing to ensure water safety, the boil water advisory for Hoboken was lifted. Residents were notified that normal water usage could resume and that water was restored city-wide.
Students had many thoughts about the water main break and its impact on campus life. Many expressed frustration over the frequent infrastructure issues affecting Stevens. Some students enjoyed the unexpected remote days, while others found the disruption inconvenient, particularly those who rely on on-campus facilities for meals, exercise, and study spaces.
The recent water main break was yet another reminder of the ongoing infrastructure challenges that impact both Stevens and the overall Hoboken community. While the university responded quickly to minimize disruptions, the incident raised concerns among students and residents about the reliability of local water systems and the likelihood of future interruptions. As Jersey City and Hoboken continue to experience these issues, many are left wondering what long-term solutions, if any, will be implemented to prevent another widespread disruption.
Courtesy of ABC7 NY
