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<\/p>\nThe extreme cold temperatures have been causing water main breaks across New York and New Jersey.<\/p>\n
There have been over a dozen water main breaks across the Tri-State Area in the past week alone.<\/p>\n
Why does cold weather cause water main breaks?<\/p>\n
Water company officials say a sudden drop in temperatures puts stress on pipes.<\/p>\n
“Rapid swings from mild to bitter cold cause the ground to contract, increasing stress on the pipe. As the soil freezes, it also expands and shifts \u2013 a process known as frost heave, which puts pressure on pipes,” a Veolia Water Company spokesperson said.<\/p>\n
Veolia provided tips to homeowners to prevent freezing pipes:\u00a0 disconnect and drain your garden hose connection before it gets cold, prepare your water pipes with insulation or heat tape, and label the main shut-off valve so everyone knows where it is.<\/p>\n
If you have been impacted by a water main break, you’re urged to run cold water 10 to 15 minutes to clear discoloration. \u00a0<\/p>\n
4 N.J. water main breaks in 1 day<\/p>\n
On Saturday alone, there were at least four water main breaks across New Jersey, including two in Montvale. A Veolia Water Company spokesperson said the cold weather could be the culprit. <\/p>\n
Crews worked in the freezing cold to repair a 12-inch water main break on Grand Avenue near Chestnut Ridge Road, where a pool of water could be seen beneath the roadway. Water also gushed at a 6-inch water main break on Grand and Memorial Drive.<\/p>\n
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Crews worked in the freezing cold to repair a 12-inch water main break on Grand Avenue near Chestnut Ridge Road in Montvale, New Jersey, on Jan. 31, 2026.<\/p>\n
CBS News New York<\/p>\n
Montvale Mayor Mike Ghassali said Grand Avenue is a main thoroughfare with 15,000 cars going through in one day. Making matters worse, the entrance ramp to Garden State Parkway South was temporarily closed.<\/p>\n
“The scary part of this is the cold temperature. All this water now is icing, so we have to call the [Department of Public Works] to come in and salt the road,” he said.<\/p>\n
Ghassali said he hopes crews will have both breaks repaired by Sunday. Until then, he is asking drivers and residents to stay away from the area.<\/p>\n
There was another water main break in Warren Township on Mount Bethel Road and a fourth in Nutley on Chestnut Street.<\/p>\n
Multiple breaks reported across NYC, N.J.<\/p>\n
A water main break in Edison on Monday<\/a> caused traffic delays and left dozens of homes and businesses without water.<\/p>\n Another break in Parsippany shut down part of Littleton Road on Tuesday.<\/p>\n Thursday, there were breaks in Union and West Orange, along with\u00a0three water main breaks across Haledon in a 12-hour span<\/a>, leading to to multiple school closures.<\/p>\n On the same day in New York City, water main breaks were reported in Queens, Brooklyn and the Bronx.<\/p>\n Friday afternoon, there was a water main break between Crotona and Clinton Avenue in the Morrisania section of the Bronx.<\/p>\n Drivers were forced to navigate a flooded intersection before the water was shut off. Crews were on site Saturday to dig up and replace a 20-inch water main, restoring water and heat to area residents.<\/p>\n