Paterson continues boil-water advisory for third day as water main repairs are ongoing.

Residents of Paterson, New Jersey, are facing significant challenges as they continue to rely on temporary measures for basic hygiene following a major water main break that has left many without access to clean water for several days. The situation has persisted for a third day, and the complexity of the necessary repairs has hindered progress.

The Passaic Valley Water Commission has indicated that while they are advancing in their efforts to fix the break in a crucial 30-inch water main, full restoration of services is expected to take an additional 24 to 36 hours. The break occurred early on Friday morning, approximately at 6 a.m., on a small street located behind the historic Hinchliffe Stadium, adjacent to the renowned Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park.

Due to the incident, all 162,000 residents of Paterson and those in the neighboring Borough of Prospect Park have been placed under a boil water advisory. They have been instructed to refrain from using tap water until the safety of the water supply has been confirmed. The water commission has emphasized the importance of using bottled water or boiling tap water until further notice, highlighting the ongoing advisory that will remain in effect until repairs are completed and water quality testing results are satisfactory.

In response to the water crisis, the city has established comfort stations equipped with portable showers and water distribution sites. These resources are available to residents who can provide proof of residency in the affected areas. Although temporary connections have been made to draw water from other systems to help replenish supplies, officials have cautioned that many residents may still encounter issues such as low water pressure or discolored water.

The complexity of the repairs is attributed to several factors, including the age of the existing water infrastructure, the challenging local topography, and other nearby utilities that complicate access to the leak. Workers have faced difficulties reaching the site, which is located about 10 to 15 feet deep within a wooded area. Furthermore, city officials have stated that the pipes in Paterson date back to the 1880s or earlier, complicating maintenance efforts.

As of Saturday, water commission officials reported that progress was being made, with the size of the leak reduced by approximately half. The collaboration with nearby municipalities has also been instrumental in connecting temporary water lines to alleviate the situation. Local leaders underscore the urgency of addressing these deteriorating infrastructure issues to prevent similar disruptions in the future.