NJ boil water advisory remains in effect after massive main break
Boil Water Advisory in Paterson, NJ after water main break
A water main break Friday left many without service, prompting a Boil Water Advisory across Prospect Park, NJ. Crews worked through the weekend to restore control. FOX 5 NY?s Stephani Bertini reports.
NEW JERSEY - Four days after a massive water main break in New Jersey, a boil water advisory remains in effect for both Paterson and Prospect Park, leaving many residents without reliable access to clean water.
The 30-inch water line ruptured Friday in a wooded area behind Hinchliffe Stadium, damaging key infrastructure and severely disrupting service across the city. Officials say the pipe is "hundreds of years old," a stark reminder of New Jersey’s aging water systems. Repairs are proving to be problematic.
When will water in Paterson be restored?
What we know:
Since the break, crews have worked around the clock to isolate the leak and begin repairs. On Monday, officials said full service restoration remains to be seen, as they have yet to isolate the exact spot where the rupture occurred.
"That said, 140-year-old infrastructure. This is about three major pipelines that go through here. We've isolated one. The leak is still uncontrolled, so it did not have the required impact that we that we wanted. We're looking to recharge online and again, trying to get flow out to parts and as soon as we can," Jim Mueller, Exec. Dir., Passaic Valley Water Commission, said at a Monday news conference.
When a boil water advisory is issued, residents are urged not to drink tap water unless it has been boiled for at least one minute. Officials confirm the water is not currently safe for consumption.
"A lot of our residents are without water, we have some families that have low water pressure," President of Paterson's City Council, Dr. Lilisa Mimms told FOX 5 NY.
What residents can do
Local perspective:
To help affected households, the city is distributing free bottled water starting at 12 p.m. Monday at Hillford Park, located at North 8th and Oxford Streets in Paterson.
A comfort station has been set up here in the parking lot of John F. Kennedy High School in Paterson, giving residents an opportunity to use port-a-potties and even shower if they need.
The backstory:
The Passaic Valley Water Commission (PVWC) confirmed that a 30-inch water main broke early Friday morning behind Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson.
The rupture caused significant flooding, and residents in both Paterson and nearby Prospect Park began experiencing low water pressure, discolored water, or temporary service interruptions shortly after.
A baseball game scheduled for Friday at Hinchliffe Stadium was canceled due to the water emergency.
Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh posted a live video from the scene, showing torrents of water rushing across a roadway. In the video, he said: "This is why residents haven’t had water."