Paterson Boil Water Advisory After Massive 30-Inch Water Main Break

Water Main Break and Boil Water Advisory

• 💧 A 30-inch water main break in Paterson, New Jersey, has caused a significant water leak and prompted a boil water advisory for approximately 160,000 residents.
• 🌲 Crews had to use chainsaws and tree trimmers to cut through thick brush to locate the source of the leak, which sent a river of water across roads and into wooded areas.
• ⏱️ Repairs are estimated to take about a day or more to complete.

Impact on Residents and Infrastructure

• 📉 Many residents are experiencing very little or no water pressure.
• 🚽 The lack of water has caused significant struggles for daily needs, including bathroom use and general water access.
• 🏘️ The outage affects homes in the north side and Hillcrest sections of Paterson, as well as neighboring towns like North Haledon and Prospect Park.
• 🏢 Buildings and some businesses have also been impacted by the water disruption.

Community Support and Cause

• 🏟️ A water distribution center has been set up at Hinchliff Stadium to provide free bottled water to affected residents, particularly from the north side and Hillcrest neighborhoods.
• 📅 The game scheduled for Hinchliff Stadium has been rescheduled due to the water issues.
• 🕰️ While the exact cause is undetermined, officials noted that the pipes date back to the 1880s, suggesting their age contributes to their vulnerability.