Most of Camden still under water emergency
A water main break that left more than half of Camden's residents without water this week has been repaired, city officials said Friday, but customers were advised to keep boiling their water until testing finds it is safe to drink.
A water main break that left more than half of Camden's residents without water this week has been repaired, city officials said Friday, but customers were advised to keep boiling their water until testing finds it is safe to drink.
Vincent Basara, a spokesman for the city, said he hoped that state-mandated water quality tests would be complete sometime Saturday.
A section of the 36-inch main broke near Delair and River Avenues in Pennsauken between 2 and 3 p.m. Thursday, Basara said, during the time that the "Camden Rising" concert, with performances by Lady Gaga and Lenny Kravitz, was taking place on the riverfront.
The damage was on a transfer main, and all Camden neighborhoods west of the Cooper River lost water pressure. About 40,000 people were affected, Basara said.
American Water, which operates most of Camden's system, repaired the pipe, though some additional work needs to be made, Basara said. City officials announced that pressure was restored Friday morning.
"It's unfortunate that it happened, but getting it back on track has run smoothly," Basara said.
Representatives of American Water declined to comment.
Anyone living in the affected area has been advised to drink bottled water or bring tap water to a rolling boil for one minute before using it for drinking, preparing food, washing food, cooking, making ice, or brushing teeth, or for pets.
Customers with questions can contact American Water during business hours at 856-635-1496 or the water treatment plant at 856-488-2041 for emergencies. Further updates will be posted at aw-connect.com/camden.
856-779-3876 @AESteele