Boil water advisory reduced to 4 towns - New York News | NYC Breaking News

Many people in New Jersey can start drinking water from the tap again as the boil water advisory has been reduced from 22 towns to four.  

The state of emergency is still in effect as well as the strict water conservation measures. 

Boil water advisory has been reduced four towns and all outdoor use banned. 

The four towns that remain under the boil water advisory are Aberdeen, Highlands, Holmdel and Middletown.  

The 18 towns released from the boil water advisory are: Allenhurst, Deal, Eatontown, Fair Haven, Little Silver, Loch Arbor, Lake Como, Long Branch, Monmouth Beach, Oceanport, Ocean Township, Neptune, Rumson, Sea Bright, Shrewsbury Borough, Shrewsbury Township, Tinton Falls and West Long Branch. 

The ongoing water emergency means that:  

• All New Jersey American Water Company customers are under mandatory water restriction that bans all outdoor water use and encourages indoor water conservation. It is illegal to water your lawn, shrubs or gardens, fill swimming pools and wash cars. Indoor conservation measures include refraining from using washing machines and dishwashers, limiting showering times and flushing toilets less frequently.
• Outdoor water conservation is highly encouraged by residents of the 31 towns not directly impacted by the water emergency.

Additionally, New Jersey American Water Co. recommends the customers in the four towns still under the boil water advisory take the following steps: 

• Water should be brought to a rolling boil for at least one minute then cooled prior to using;
• Keep water that has been boiled in the refrigerator for drinking;
• Rinse hand-washed dishes for a minute in diluted bleach (one tablespoon of household bleach per gallon of tap water) or clean your dishes in a dishwasher using the hot wash cycle and dry cycle. 
• Do not swallow water while you are showering or bathing;
• Provide pets with boiled water after cooling;
• Do not use home filtering devices in place of boiling or using bottled water; most home water filters will not provide adequate protection from microorganisms, and
• Use only boiled water to treat minor injuries.