Speedwell Avenue runs through the heart of Morristown and is named for the Speedwell Ironworks, where the electric telegraph was first shown to the public on January 11, 1838. Today the corridor mixes older houses with newer rental buildings, and the Whippany River winds through the same part of town.
That mix shapes what goes wrong. Apartment dwellers deal with shared stacks and shutoffs, while homes and buildings near low ground deal with basement water. This page covers both, and says clearly where we have facts and where we do not.
If a pipe, drain or basement is giving you trouble, call the Morristown line at (908) 357-1542 and describe what is happening.
Apartments and the Speedwell redevelopment
The Speedwell Redevelopment is a four-phase plan approved in 2012 for the avenue. Its first phase, called Latitude, was reported by Patch in January 2013 as 268 rental units, including 26 deed-restricted affordable units, with a 357-space parking garage.
Large rental buildings plumb differently from houses. Water usually comes in through a main, runs up shared risers and drains down shared stacks. If you rent, the first step for a leak or backup is to tell the building manager, because shutting off the wrong valve or opening the wrong wall can affect other units.
- Know where your unit's shutoff valve is and test that it turns.
- Report slow drains early before a shared line backs up.
- Report a ceiling stain to management in writing with photos.
- Do not run a drain cleaner product into a shared line.
Older houses near the avenue
Away from the newer buildings are older houses with basements. We do not know the age or pipe material of any specific house, and we do not assume a problem from age alone. A sewer camera inspection answers it for your line.
If you notice slow drains in several fixtures, gurgling or a damp basement floor drain, the main line is the place to look. A drain cleaning can clear a stoppage, and a camera shows whether a root, a belly in the pipe or a break caused it.
Call and describe it. We will talk through the next step for Speedwell Avenue Area.
What we know, what is general, and what we cannot say
Verified local facts
- The Speedwell Ironworks hosted the first public showing of the electric telegraph on January 11, 1838.
- The Speedwell Redevelopment was approved in 2012, and Phase I (Latitude) was reported as 268 rental units.
- Tropical Storm Irene in 2011 and the remnants of Hurricane Ida in 2021 both brought flooding to parts of the Morristown area.
General plumbing information
- Apartment buildings share risers, stacks and shutoffs, so the building manager is the first call.
- A sump pump should be tested before storm season.
What we cannot say
- Whether any specific Speedwell Avenue address is in a flood zone.
- The age or condition of pipes at a particular building.
- Which sewer system serves a given street.
The Whippany River and basement water
The Whippany River runs through Morristown. A National Weather Service gauge behind the shopping center on Cedar Knolls Avenue read 5.11 feet on the morning of October 30, 2017, up from 1.9 feet the day before, with minor flooding beginning at 6 feet. In August 2011, Tropical Storm Irene flooded parts of Morristown's Second Ward, including Martin Luther King Avenue, according to Morristown Green.
The remnants of Hurricane Ida on September 1 and 2, 2021 brought about 5.5 to 6.5 inches of rain to the Morristown area within 24 hours, according to NJDEP figures reported by Patch. We are not saying any specific Speedwell Avenue address floods. If you want to know about your lot, check the FEMA flood map and ask the town.
Sump pumps and keeping a basement dry
In a basement that takes on groundwater during storms, a working sump pump is the first defense. Test it before storm season by pouring water into the pit and checking that it switches on and pumps out. A pump that runs constantly, rattles or cycles on and off may be failing.
If water enters through walls or floors in more than one place, basement waterproofing is a larger conversation, with honest trade-offs between interior drains and exterior work. Get a clear explanation and price before agreeing to either.
Water, sewer and who to call
Morristown's water comes from the Southeast Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority, and its emergency line is 973-867-1758. The town handles sewer service, though parts of town near the boundary may connect through Morris Township, so ask the town which system serves your street.
For anything inside your walls, floor drains, fixtures or water heater, a plumber is the right call. For a main street break or a whole-block outage, call the utility.
Related plumbing pages
These services come up most often in Speedwell Avenue Area:
Speedwell Avenue Area is part of Morristown, which sits inside Morris Township. See all service areas or return to the Morristown homepage.
Speedwell Avenue Area on the map
Frequently asked questions
We have no verified information that any specific address on the avenue floods. The Whippany River runs through Morristown and has flooded other parts of town during Irene in 2011, so check the FEMA flood map and ask the town about your property.
Stop using the sink and report it to the building manager. If other units are affected, it is probably a shared line. If it is only your sink, a plumber can clear it, but your lease and landlord decide who calls and pays.
Pour a bucket of water into the pit and watch for the pump to switch on, empty the pit and shut off. A pump that does not switch on, runs nonstop or makes grinding noises should be checked.
A break in the street main is the water authority's job. Morristown's water supplier is the Southeast Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority at 973-867-1758. Leaks inside your property line are a plumber's job.
Yes. Call (908) 357-1542 and describe where water enters and how often. A visit can check the sump, floor drains and walls and explain whether a pump, drain repair or waterproofing makes sense.