08-26-25
August 26th Update from Passaic Valley Water Commission
(Paterson, N.J. – August 26, 2025) – Passaic Valley Water Commission (PVWC) received reports of a water main break this past Saturday at North 1st and Arch Streets in Paterson. By Saturday afternoon, the break was confirmed to be on a 42-inch transmission main that runs through the area.
PVWC crews and contractors worked quickly to reduce the flow from the break, and by Saturday night, water loss at the site was significantly minimized. However, because of the break, the Riverside section of Paterson was without water, beginning early Sunday morning. PVWC’s wholesale customer, the Borough of Fair Lawn, was also impacted and issued its own boil water advisory.
Progress to Date
As of yesterday afternoon, PVWC successfully restored water service to customers in both the Riverside section of Paterson and the Borough of Fair Lawn. This was achieved through the installation of line stops approximately half a mile from the break. Line stops are a specialized technique that allows utilities to temporarily block the flow of water in a transmission main, enabling repairs while restoring service to affected areas. With this installation complete, PVWC was able to reopen a key valve at Riverview Terrace, restoring water flow to customers.
Crews remain onsite at North 1st and Arch Streets, where the damaged section of pipe is being removed. Preliminary assessments indicate that 50 to 60 feet of new 42-inch transmission pipe will need to be installed to fully repair the main. While this work may take up to a week to complete, water service has already been restored.
Funding and Infrastructure Upgrades
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) notified PVWC that this emergency project may be eligible for funding with up to 100% loan forgiveness, capped at $3 million. While repair costs are not expected to reach that level, the funding would cover two new 42-inch valves in addition to the replacement pipe.
PVWC will also rebuild a local storm sewer, more than 100 years old, which collapsed because of the leak. This work is expected to be included in the emergency funding. Once repairs are complete, the impacted intersection will also be repaved as part of the final restoration.
Flushing Program Update
To focus on restoring water service, PVWC temporarily paused its large-scale flushing program, which was nearly 50% complete at the time of the new break. Flushing is a critical step to improving water quality and ultimately lifting the Boil Water Advisory. PVWC will resume the flushing program tomorrow, August 27th.
Boil Water Advisory
In coordination with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), PVWC has already lifted the Boil Water Advisory for nearly 77,000 residents in parts of Paterson, specifically Broadway and all streets south of Broadway, east of Spruce Street, and west of Route 20.
The Boil Water Advisory remains in effect for:
• Customers in Paterson outside of the area specified above and the Borough of Prospect Park
• Customers served by the Manchester Utilities Authority (NJ1603001) in Haledon and North Haledon
Residents and businesses under the advisory must continue to boil water for at least one minute before using it for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, washing dishes, or making ice—or use bottled water—until PVWC provides official notice that the water is safe.
Resident Safety Reminder
PVWC water quality testing crews wear official uniforms and carry photo ID badges. Residents are reminded not to open their doors to anyone lacking proper credentials. Suspicious activity should be reported immediately to the local police department.
Stay Informed
• Haledon & North Haledon residents: Visit muawater.net or call 973-942-9027 for MUA updates
• Sign up for PVWC Alerts at pvwc.com
• Follow PVWC on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn
• For questions: Call 973-340-4300 (option #2) or email customerservice@pvwc.com
PVWC thanks residents for their patience and cooperation throughout this complex repair and recovery operation. This event underscores the importance of PVWC’s capital replacement program, which is designed to modernize aging infrastructure and reduce system vulnerabilities.