Open Water Valves Lead To More Post-Sandy Issues [AUDIO]

In the rush to evacuate their homes during the storm, residents who neglected to shut off their main water valve could end up facing more problems when they finally return.

In some cases, homeowners who were displaced by Sandy could find themselves still receiving water bills, even though they haven't turned on a faucet in weeks.

New Jersey American Water External Affairs Manager, Richard Barnes, says residents who did not shut off their main water valve could have suffered breaks or leaks in the pipes during the storm that caused water to flow.

He notes, while the company did stop billing after the storm, in the hardest hit areas of the barrier islands, such as Brick, Mantoloking, and Pelican Island shut off numerous external valves at the curb.

"We shut off thousands of customers whether or not they turned their shut off valve or not," says Barnes.

He adds there was a 24-hour emergency line available for customers to have their water turned off.

Barnes warns the main thing you can do to find the main shut off valve and shut it off whenever you are leaving your home for a prolonged or undetermined amount of time.