Hackettstown issues boil water advisory after e. coli detected in system
Residents should use bottled water until further notice.
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The Hackettstown Municipal Utilities Authority issued a system-wide boil water advisory on Monday, after routine testing detected E. coli bacteria in a local drinking water well.
According to officials, a water sample collected on July 25 from Well No. 4 tested positive for the bacteria. Because all HMUA wells pump into a common distribution network, the advisory applies to all customers connected to the utility's water system.
The advisory impacts residents and businesses in:
Warren County: Town of Hackettstown, Independence Township and Mansfield Township.
Morris County: Portions of Mount Olive Township and Washington Township.
As a precaution, customers are advised not to drink tap water without boiling it first.
Bring all water to a rolling boil for at least one full minute before using it for:
Drinking and making ice
Brushing teeth
Washing fruits, vegetables, and dishes
Preparing food or baby formula
Alternatively, residents should use bottled water until further notice.
The presence of E. coli indicates that water may be contaminated with human or animal waste, which can cause short-term health effects such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and headaches. Infants, young children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals face higher risks.
The boil water advisory applies only to customers served by the Hackettstown Municipal Utilities Authority. New Jersey American Water's Washington system is separate and not interconnected with HMUA. It is not affected by the advisory.
