By KATHY CHANG
Staff Writer
EDISON — A rusty flange outlet bolted around a water pipe that was put in place in 1955 on Stephenville Parkway is to blame for the geyser type incident that affected the neighborhood for almost a 24-hour period.
Peter Eschbach, director of communications for New Jersey American Water, said the utility’s crews were on hand early Sunday morning on July 31 assessing the situation.
“There’s some discrepancy on when this occurred,” he said. “Neighbors reported hearing a boom around 9:30 p.m. … Our head person was notified around 1 a.m. and I was notified around 1:30 a.m.”
Once on scene, Eschbach said crews worked on finding the valve to turn off the water and drain the pipe.
“We were dealing with a large concrete pipe 48 inches in diameter,” he said.
Eschbach said crews were working on the right combination of interconnecting other access ways to fresh water with the goal of making sure not to cut off water for residents. By 6 p.m., crews had the water flow under control.
“That is why it took so long,” he said, noting that there were some reports from residents who found themselves without water; however, the situation was rectified in a timely fashion.
Eschbach said crews found that the bolts holding the flange outlet around the pipe, which was put in around 1955 with the pipe, had rusted to the point it blew up causing the rupture.
“It’s akin to opening a fire hydrant underground,” he said.
Eschbach said crews replaced the flange outlet and, as of the afternoon of August 1 were working on filling the hole and clearing out the debris in the area. It was expected that the water main would be back in full service later in the day.
New Jersey American Water and township officials kept residents abreast of the situation through social media.
Eschbach said they posted photos throughout the emergency repair process to its Facebook page with explanations.
