REMINDER: Turn Off Your Water Valve

Barrier Island Customers Should Ensure Water at Their Building’s Main Valve is Turned off, or Risk Damage as the Company Restores Pressure to Water Service

VOORHEES, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As New Jersey American Water methodically restores water service on Ocean County’s north barrier island, customers there should ensure that their home’s water is turned off at the building’s main shut off valve. Street by street, company crews are locating, inspecting and, as necessary repairing or replacing water mains and hydrants. The mains are then filled with water and the pressure is raised to ensure the area with adequate fire protection. “To compliment the homeowner precautionary measures that should have already been executed, we have visited all properties, and where possible have shut off the water service from our valve at the curb. We will continue to restore pressure to the fire hydrants which will pressurize our customers’ water service,” said Stephen Schmitt, vice president of operations for New Jersey American Water.

“If they didn’t, then we ask that they ensure it is off as soon as they can access their property. We will continue to turn off water at the meters as we can access them, and we ask that customers work with us to help efficiently restore service.”

Debris removal can inhibit access to the company’s isolation valves out in the street, so New Jersey American Water asks that its customers on the barrier island shut off the main valves in their homes to reduce the risk to their properties since the company has not been able to turn off every service. “We recommended that customers shut off their water at the main valve prior to evacuation,” said Schmitt. “If they didn’t, then we ask that they ensure it is off as soon as they can access their property. We will continue to turn off water at the meters as we can access them, and we ask that customers work with us to help efficiently restore service.”

New Jersey American Water, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately 2.5 million people. Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company. With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs approximately 7,000 dedicated professionals who provide drinking water, wastewater and other related services to an estimated 15 million people in more than 30 states, as well as parts of Canada. More information can be found by visiting www.amwater.com.