Over the weekend, more than 185,000 people in New Jersey were told to boil their water after a large water main broke on Friday.
The Passaic Valley Water Commission (PVWC) issued the warning on August 8 for residents and businesses in Paterson, Prospect Park, Haledon, and North Haledon.
“The advisory is a precaution to keep our community safe,” the commission said.
Repairs began over the weekend and were expected to be finished within 24 to 36 hours. On Monday morning, PVWC said water pressure was starting to improve and that some homes already had service again. They expect full repairs within 12 to 24 hours.
The boil water advisory will stay in place until testing confirms the water is safe to drink.
Why It Matters
Boil water advisories are issued when there’s a chance that harmful bacteria or contaminants have entered the water supply. This can happen after a water main break. To make the water safe, residents should bring it to a rolling boil for at least one minute before using it for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, or washing dishes.
What Happened
The 30-inch water main broke near Hinchliffe Stadium, leaving many people with low water pressure or no water at all. PVWC has provided bottled water at Hillford Park in Paterson and set up shower units and portable bathrooms for residents.
Repairs were delayed because of the pipe’s location, the age of the water system, and other infrastructure challenges. A temporary line from Hawthorne to Prospect Park was connected on Sunday.
Once repairs are done, PVWC will flush the system, test for bacteria, and lift the advisory if the water passes safety checks. This process could take one to two days after pressure is fully restored.
Community Response
Water distribution began Friday with help from local officials, police, fire departments, and the county’s Office of Emergency Management. The commission is working closely with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to speed up the process.
What’s Next
Repairs are still underway, and the boil water advisory could last a few more days. Residents are advised to keep boiling their water until they are officially told it’s safe.
