Middlesex Mayor John Madden said “a perfect storm” of two unrelated events — a water main break and the legal disposal of chemicals in a sewer line — has led to the deaths of hundreds, if not thousands of fish in a borough lake this week.
The issue began over the weekend when two large water mains operated by New Jersey American Water in neighboring Piscataway broke, the mayor said.
The water main leak was a big enough problem on its own that it triggered a boil water advisory from New Jersey American Water in Middlesex and eight other towns in Middlesex, Somerset and Union counties that is still in effect on Wednesday afternoon.
The complications were exacerbated in Middlesex, though, because a company in the borough had earlier legally discharged a emulsifying chemical that was to be treated by the Middlesex County Utilities Authority. The busted water main caused what Madden called a “huge backup,” grabbing the chemical and pushing it into Lake Creighton in Victor Crowell Park.
“I know what an ecological disaster this is,” Madden said Wednesday. “Every type of aquatic life died, thousands and thousands of fish. I’m very upset about this, the residents are upset. The sooner we get this rectified, the happier I’ll be but I’m not making very good progress.”
Most of Madden’s anger is directed toward New Jersey American Water, which has been unresponsive, the mayor said.
“They’re not taking our darn calls,” Madden said “When I was (at the lake), there was an individual from American Water. I said ‘look it’s urgent that someone from the company calls me immediately.’ New Jersey American Water has not called (back) and I’m very ticked off about that. This is unacceptable. There’s no end in sight.”
On Monday, the water was brown and water levels were higher than normal. The dead fish were visible in the water and along the shoreline on Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday, according to a resident.
Public works crews from Middlesex have been at the lake multiple times since, removing dead fish only for more to turn up several hours later, the mayor said.
Madden said that while New Jersey American Water has acknowledged a 48-inch water main leaked, he said a 64-inch water main also was damaged.
A New Jersey American Water spokeswoman declined to comment about the lake.
“As we are in an active main break situation our main focus is on making these repairs and restoring full water service to our customers,” communications director Denise Venuti Free said in an email. “If there are questions about environmental issues that may or may not be related, I would suggest contacting the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.”
A DEP spokesman told NJ Advance Media he was checking for updates.
The water in Lake Creighton in Middlesex Borough turned brown after chemicals backed up into the lake following a water main break in Piscataway.Kristin Barlette
The state Department of Environmental Protection has been responsive, according to Madden.
Meanwhile, Madden said the approximately 2-acre lake will have to be dredged.
During one of his many visits to the lake the past few days, the mayor said he was taken aback when he saw a blue heron scoop up a dead fish and then spit it out. Carp, eels and sunnies are among the aquatic life to have been killed, the mayor said.
“There’s nothing alive in that lake,” Madden said, noting the deficiency of dissolved oxygen. “It’s shocking.”
New Jersey American Water said in a statement on Twitter, “The leaking transmission main has been isolated and crews are beginning the repair process. Water pressure has been restored in the system. Customers in these towns may have discolored water as our crews continue to work to repair the main. If this occurs, customers should allow a cold water tap in the lowest part of their home to run until water is clear.”
New Jersey American Water is distributing bottled water in several towns impacted by the water main leak. A list of locations can be found here.
Several dead fish float in Lake Creighton in Middlesex on Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021.Kristin Barlette
Read more of NJ.com’s coverage of New Jersey water issues here.
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Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com.
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Water main break contributes to deaths of thousands of fish in N.J. lake, mayor says - NJ.com
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