Residents and Community Members of Red Bank and surrounding Monmouth County:

It is with great concern that we address the recent incident at the Red Bank construction site, where a significant sewage leak has occurred due to a broken sewer line at the intersection of Maple Ave and Oakland Street. The Borough advises to avoid the NJ Transit Parking Lot #1 at Monmouth St. and Burrowes St.

Per local TapInto reporting in English and Spanish, the water main was clamped and repaired at 11:50PM last night by the Borough’s emergency Mechanical contractor, stopping any further discharge. We commend the efforts to repair the water main and mitigate the impacts on our shared ecosystem. However, the full resolution of this issue remains uncertain. We urge all residents and visitors to adhere to the advisory issued by local authorities. Please stay out of the water until the results of the water quality test return on 7/16 from NJDEP.

A construction crew was testing soil for future development and, according to local news outlet RedBankGreen, had been warned about the pipe. While we await the official statement/report from NJ Department of Environmental Protection, there is reporting that protocol was not followed. NJDEP will conduct water testing on 7/15 with results due 7/16.

This unfortunate even has resulted in the discharge of wastewater into our stormwater system, posing a threat to the health of our beloved Navesink River.

As advocates for proper stormwater management and guardians of our local ecosystems, we understand the gravity of this situation. The estimated rate of approximately 100 gallons of wastewater per minute entering our waterways demanded swift and decisive action.

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONS:

Avoid River Activities: We strongly advise against engaging in any river sports or recreational activities until further notice.

Shellfish and Finfish Consumption: Please refrain from consuming shellfish or finfish from the affected river, given they may be contaminated by the spill.

Please stay out of the water until the results of NJDEP’s water quality test return on 7/16. Waterspirit will provide an update when the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) issues a related statement.