After meeting with New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and other state, county and local officials today following the water service emergency that occurred Friday that left thousands with no or severely limited water service, Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04) urged Monmouth County residents to follow local authorities’ directives to ensure water safety and limit usage as workers act to restore service.

New Jersey American Water Company and Monmouth County emergency management officials reduced the boil-water advisory to 22 towns June 30 (The boil-water advisory was lifted from all towns July 2). Those towns are directly affected by the collapse of three large water pipes June 29 at the company’s water treatment plant at the Swimming River Reservoir.

An outdoor water ban remains in place throughout the county, and all county residents are urged to conserve water until further notice. The ban means no watering lawns, shrubs or gardens, no filling swimming pools or washing cars. Indoor conservation measures should include refraining from using washing machines and dishwashers, limiting showering times and flushing toilets less frequently.

Recent county updates:

• July 2- State of emergency still in effect- MANDATORY outdoor water ban continues; boil water advisory lifted for all towns in
  Monmouth County
• July 1- State of emergency still in effect- Strict water conservation measures remain in effect; Boil water advisory reduced 4 towns; all
  outdoor use banned
• June 29- State of emergency declared in Monmouth County: All outdoor use banned; boil water advisory expands to entire county
• June 29- Strict water conservation measures put in place
• For information about responding to an emergency, visit the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management and  http://www.state.nj.us/njoem/

    To view information from the Federal Emergency Management Agency on emergency water supply, visit: http://www.fema.gov/plan/prepare/watermanage.shtm