TOMS RIVER, N.J. — Ocean County Commissioner Frank Sadeghi said Wednesday that the loss of water service that forced the evacuation of the county’s Senior Services and Human Services building was the result of an error by the water company.
Initially, county officials reported the incident as a plumbing or mechanical failure, without detailing the problem in a memo to employees.
The three-story building was temporarily closed Tuesday after employees discovered there was no running water. Workers were sent home around 11 a.m. as restrooms and other water-dependent facilities became unusable. A recorded message later informed visitors the building was expected to reopen Wednesday.
County says utility mistakenly shut off service
According to Sadeghi, the interruption was caused when the building’s water service was mistakenly shut off by the utility company.
Closure renewed attention on troubled project
Although Tuesday’s disruption was not caused by the building itself, the incident quickly drew attention because of the facility’s well-documented construction history.
The Ocean County Senior Services and Human Services complex opened in 2025 after years of delays, cost overruns, and construction issues. Originally projected to cost about $39.5 million and open in 2022, the project ultimately exceeded $60 million after additional construction expenses and property acquisition costs.
Previous issues reported at the facility have included roof leaks, window deficiencies, and other construction-related concerns during the lengthy development process.
Building houses critical county services
The complex serves residents seeking senior services, social services, and other county assistance programs, making any disruption particularly noticeable for employees and the public.
Employees had been instructed to leave the building Tuesday after the loss of water made normal operations impossible. While the temporary closure fueled speculation that another construction issue had emerged, county officials now say the interruption stemmed from an external utility error rather than a failure of the building’s infrastructure.
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