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There is a water main break in Somerset County in New Jersey effecting thousands of people.

WCBS Reporter Levon Putney is on the scene and describes the scene as a mini river rapid. The spray looks like a firehose spraying water.

The water is gushing from a 60-inch main and Putney says the hole looks to be four or five feet wide.

New Jersey American Water has issued a boil water alert as a precautionary measure only for residents in the following municipalities in Middlesex, Somerset and Union counties:

    Middlesex County
    -- Dunellen
    -- Edison
    -- Middlesex
    -- Piscataway
    -- South Plainfield

    Somerset County
    -- Bound Brook
    -- Bridgewater
    -- Green Brook
    -- Hillsborough
    -- Millstone
    -- Montgomery
    -- Raritan
    -- Somerville
    -- South Bound Brook

    Union County
    -- Clark
    -- Linden
    -- Plainfield City
    -- Roselle Boro

The water is flowing mostly into the Delaware Raritan Canal.

Putney reports the water company will be shutting off the water within the hour.

Residents and businesses alike are reporting low pressure.

Franklin Township Police Sergeant Philip Rizzo says it may take days to repair the side of the road, which collapsed.

The Star-Ledger reports  "The road is actually washing away, breaking away," Rizzo said. Rescue workers first received the call at about 11 a.m.

New Jersey American Water spokesperson Maureen Duffy says they're not sure when they can get the water main break.

Officials advise if you are getting low or no pressure to boil your water.