20,000 Edison Residents Impacted by Water Main Break
On Thursday,a significant water main break in Edison,New Jersey,disrupted water service for nearly 20,000 homes adn businesses,prompting a precautionary boil water advisory for the entire town.The incident occurred around midnight near the entrance of Ben Franklin Elementary School on Woodbridge Avenue, a lucky break as the school was closed for the holidays. Edison Water Utility crews, along with contractors and sewer utility personnel, worked tirelessly throughout the day to drain and repair the 20-inch water main. The areas most affected included homes and businesses along Woodbridge Avenue, Route 27, portions of Talmadge Road, and Edison Town Hall. Mayor Sam Joshi assured residents that while no direct contaminants were detected, the boil water advisory was issued out of an abundance of caution. “There was no direct contaminant that we saw. But, in an abundance of caution, we announced a boil water advisory,” Joshi explained to News 12. Acknowledging the inconvenience, the mayor expressed frustration. “There’s a number of businesses that have just taken the day off. It’s not ideal, it’s very frustrating,” he said. Joshi attributed the break, in part, to the aging infrastructure. The affected pipes are approximately 80 years old, but he believes the recent cold temperatures played a significant role. “There could have been a number of issues that came out with this,but we do believe the weather to be one of the primary ones,” Joshi stated. He emphasized that addressing the town’s outdated infrastructure is an ongoing priority for his administration. In the meantime, residents are encouraged to use the public restrooms at the Edison Senior Center, located at 2963 Woodbridge Avenue. The town is also distributing potable water at two fire stations: Fire Station #1 at 25 Plainfield Avenue and Fire Station #2 at 1997 Route 27. Residents are asked to provide proof of residency when collecting water.## Edison Water Main Break: An Interview with mayor Sam Joshi
**Archyde:** Mayor Joshi, thank you for taking the time to speak with us today amidst this challenging situation. Can you give our readers a clearer picture of the extent of the water main break and the impact itS having on Edison residents?
**mayor Joshi:** Certainly. Unfortunately, a 20-inch water main break occurred near Ben Franklin Elementary School early Thursday morning. This has disrupted water service to nearly 20,000 homes and businesses throughout the township, prompting a precautionary boil water advisory for the entire town.
**archyde:** Understandably,this has caused important disruption. What steps are being taken to address the situation and restore water service to residents?
**Mayor joshi:** Our Edison Water Utility crews are working around the clock alongside contractors to repair the damaged main. We’re making good progress, but a situation like this takes time and careful handling.
**Archyde:** You mentioned a boil water advisory. Can you elaborate on the reasoning behind this precautionary measure?
**Mayor Joshi:** While we haven’t detected any direct contaminants, it’s crucial to exercise an abundance of caution in situations like this. The boil water advisory is meant to ensure the safety of our residents until we can be absolutely certain the water supply is free of any potential contamination.
**Archyde:** The incident has undoubtedly caused inconvenience for many, especially businesses. What message do you have for residents and business owners during this challenging time?
**Mayor Joshi:** I understand the frustration this is causing. It’s not ideal, but the safety of our residents is paramount. We’ve set up distribution points for potable water at two fire stations and are encouraging residents to utilize public restrooms at the Edison Senior Center.
**Archyde:** Looking ahead, how will the town address the issue of aging infrastructure to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future?
**Mayor Joshi:** This incident underscores the critical need to modernize our infrastructure.It’s a priority for my administration, and we will continue to seek funding and solutions to ensure a reliable and safe water supply for all residents.
**Archyde:** This situation raises important questions about the state of infrastructure in many towns across the country. What do you think is the most effective way to balance the need for infrastructure improvements with budgetary constraints?
Let’s get a broader outlook. What are your thoughts on this, readers? How should communities like Edison prioritize infrastructure upgrades without overburdening taxpayers? Share your views and join the conversation.
## Edison Water Main Break: An Interview with Mayor Sam Joshi
**Archyde:** Mayor Joshi, thank you for taking the time to speak with us today about the meaningful water main break that has impacted Edison residents. can you provide us with an update on the situation and what steps are currently being taken to address it?
**Mayor Joshi:** of course. As you know, a 20-inch water main broke around midnight near Ben Franklin elementary School on Woodbridge Avenue. This sadly impacted water service for approximately 20,000 homes and businesses across town.
Our Edison Water Utility crews, along with contractors and sewer utility personnel, have been working tirelessly as the break occurred to drain and repair the affected main. We’ve seen great progress already, but it’s a complex process and we understand the inconvenience this has caused.
**Archyde:** We understand that a precautionary boil water advisory has been issued. can you elaborate on the reason for this advisory and what residents should be doing?
**Mayor Joshi:** Absolutely. While we haven’t detected any direct contaminants in the water, we issued the boil water advisory out of an abundance of caution. We want to ensure the safety of our residents, and boiling water for at least one minute before consumption is the best precaution to take until we can lift the advisory.
**Archyde:** Many residents and businesses are understandably frustrated by the disruption. What can you say to them at this time?
**Mayor Joshi:** I want to assure our residents and businesses that we are doing everything in our power to restore water service as quickly and safely as possible. This is a major inconvenience for everyone, and we are grateful for everyone’s patience and understanding during this time.
We are also taking steps to provide support to those affected. Public restrooms are available at the Edison Senior Center, and we are distributing potable water at Fire Station #1 and Fire Station #2 . Residents are asked to bring proof of residency when collecting water.
**Archyde:** This isn’t the first time Edison has experienced a water main break. What is being done to address the aging infrastructure, and prevent similar incidents from happening in the future?
**Mayor Joshi:** You’re right, this highlights the urgent need to address our aging infrastructure.Many of our pipes are over 80 years old, and while this particular break may have been exacerbated by the recent cold weather, it underscores a larger problem.
Addressing this issue is a top priority for my administration. We are actively seeking funding and exploring various options to upgrade and replace our aging water infrastructure to ensure reliable service for all residents in the future.
**Archyde:** Thank you for your time, mayor Joshi, and for providing our readers with this significant update.
**Mayor Joshi:** Thank you for having me. We will continue to provide updates as the situation evolves through our official channels.
