The North Jersey District Water Supply Commission work is at least affecting residents in Newark and Bloomfield, officials said.
BLOOMFIELD -- Residents in at least two towns are experiencing brown water issues Thursday, thanks to water main flushing.
Brown water in a Bloomfield washing machine. Officials in Bloomfield and Newark announced Thursday that residents may be seeing brown and otherwise discolored water from their faucets. Though they said the water is safe to use and drink, they recommended people flush the water in their homes for five to ten minutes before using it, to clear the discoloration.
"It appears to be a system-wide issue related to the North Jersey District Water Supply Commission exercising valves at the Wanaque River Aqueduct," Bloomfield spokesman Phil Swibinski said.
"The Bloomfield Fire Department is currently flushing all township fire hydrants, which we believe will correct the problem." Residents reported seeing brown water at least once before, on Sunday.
Officials in Newark issued a similar alert Thursday blaming the water main flush, and telling residents that they should expect the discoloration to continue into the afternoon.
According to Commission spokesman Bill Maer, the valve exercising is a "fairly routine" procedure that is federally mandated. The Commission, which let each municipality it serves know in advance that the flushing would be taking place, is working "very closely" with the DEP on the procedure, he said.
The Commission also supplies water to about a dozen other municipalities and agencies across northern New Jersey, though it is unclear if those areas have experienced brown water, as well.
Jessica Mazzola may be reached at jmazzola@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessMazzola. Find NJ.com on Facebook.