04/22/2026
Sewer Line Break East of Polito Avenue
The Township of Lyndhurst Board of Commissioners would like to advise the public of a recent sewer line collapse that has occurred within the township, east of Polito Avenue in our Meadowlands, that occurred over the last 48 hours. The situation is evolving and the origin of the break remains unknown at this time. Our Department of Public Works and Department of Parks & Public Property employees along with our Emergency Management officials have been working with our township engineer firm, Neglia Engineering of Lyndhurst, in attempts to locate this break nearly around the clock.
At this time, temporary emergency protective measures have been implemented to include the following:
Sewer line diversion, which includes the trucking of sewage from the affected area to the sewer system west of Newark Avenue.
The temporary closure of some recreational fields at the Recreation Center, 862 Valley Brook Avenue.
(All fields are anticipated to be fully reopened tomorrow, April 23, 2026.)
The closure of the walking path at 862 Valley Brook Avenue in this area until further notice.
Currently, the potential for an environmental issue has affected the small drainage pond abutting 862 Valley Brook Avenue and the New Jersey Transit tracks adjacent to the Kingsland Shops. The Department of Environmental Protection has been notified and will be providing guidance for the appropriate remediation of this area, if necessary. Addressing some disinformation, there was no contamination to any of our turf fields, nor the walking path surrounding the fields. The closures at the recreational fields were implemented out of an abundance of caution.
Lastly, the South Bergen Joint Insurance Fund, the township’s insurance carrier, has been notified, and environmental air monitoring has been initiated. Aside from the malodor created from this issue, there remain no accessible public heath concern surrounding this area.
In the coming hours and days, both temporary and permanent infrastructure repairs and upgrades will be made. The first phase will include securing a new path of piping to permanently suspend the trucking operation.
As always, the township remains committed to transparency in happenings surrounding the community. Updates will follow in the coming day(s), as our team remains on site.
Mayor & Public Safety Commissioner
Robert B. Giangeruso
With:
Commissioner Richard Jarvis
Commissioner David Mateen
Commissioner Louis DeMarco
Commissioner Karen Haggerty