TRENTON, NJ — Officials are encouraging 1.4 million Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission customers in 48 New Jersey towns to curb water use.

Officials want to reduce the stress on the storm-damaged sewage treatment system and help limit partially treated effluent flowing into Newark and New York Harbor.

Superstorm Sandy caused severe flooding and power outages that have limited the level of treatment of the 240 million gallons a day of wastewater that normally flows through the plant.

The wastewater is receiving basic primary treatment and disinfection through chlorination and a sediment settling process. From there, it goes into New York Harbor.