paterson,New Jersey Residents Face Fourth Day of Water Crisis,Relief expected Tuesday Night
Paterson,NJ – Residents of Paterson,New Jersey,are entering a fourth day grappling with widespread water outages and severely reduced water pressure following a major water main break on Friday. Approximately 200,000 customers in Paterson – the state’s third-largest city – and neighboring communities remain under a boil water advisory, initially issued by the Passaic Valley Water Commission.
The crisis stems from a break in a 30-inch, 140-year-old water main. While some residents have experienced a complete loss of water service, thousands more are contending with critically low pressure. city and water commission officials now anticipate repairs will be completed by Tuesday night, offering a glimmer of hope to frustrated residents. However, the boil water advisory is expected to remain in effect through at least Friday to allow for thorough system flushing and bacteria testing once water pressure is restored.
To address immediate needs, the city and water commission have established portable shower and toilet facilities at a local high school and are distributing free bottled water, including deliveries to elderly residents. Despite these efforts, many residents are seeking their own solutions.
“We have a lot of homeless and a lot of people who have substance abuse issues,” said resident Vanessa Ramos, who was forced to haul jugs of water from her workplace over a mile away. Concerns over hygiene and safety at the temporary facilities are prompting some,like Ramos,to seek choice options.
The inconvenience is taking a toll on daily life. “It’s horrible, trying to get washed and cooking. Everything. It’s just horrible,” expressed Vanessa Hopkins to WCBS-TV.
Initial estimates for full service restoration proved optimistic, as crews have struggled to pinpoint the exact location of the break and require custom-made pipes for the repair.During a Monday afternoon press conference, Mayor Andre Sayegh urged community unity. “Now is not the time to point fingers. it is the time for all hands to be on deck,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of mutual support during the ongoing crisis.
Paterson, a diverse city of roughly 160,000 residents, also faces economic challenges, being one of the poorest cities in New Jersey with a notable Hispanic population and a majority of foreign-born residents. The water crisis exacerbates existing hardships for many within the community.
