The Passaic Valley Water Commission on Friday lifted the boil water advisory for parts of Paterson, though it remains in effect in Haledon, North Haledon and Prospect Park.
The commission estimates that tap water is now safe to drink for about 77,000 Paterson customers in an area south of Broadway, east of Spruce Street, and west of Route 20.
And in areas where the boiled water advisory remains in effect, restaurants and other retail food establishments are being allowed to reopen, provided they cook and wash with either bottled water, potable water, or boiled water.
Water pressure has been slowly rising in recent days, following a water main break that left an estimated 200,000 people without water. An official with Haledon’s Office of Emergency Management reported Saturday that water pressure was high enough in most areas of town that residents could take showers and wash dishes.
The Passaic Valley Water Commission has been opening fire hydrants to restore pressure to homes in Paterson, Haledon, North Haledon and Prospect Park.
One exception was the Haledon Heights section, off Preakness Avenue, which was still bone-dry. To help, the OEM moved a water tank truck to the Haledon Heights neighborhood on Saturday.
“Things are improving, but we’re not out of the woods yet,” said the OEM official, who asked not to be named.
Outdoor water use restriction are in effect in Haledon, North Haledon and Prospect Park. That means no washing cars, no watering lawns or plants, and no filling pools.
The water commission says crews are working around the clock at Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson to replace the 30-inch main that ruptured on Aug. 8. The break knocked out water for residents in Paterson, Haledon, North Haledon and Prospect Park.
The commission’s executive director, Jim Mueller, has not given an estimate as to when the repairs will be finished. He indicated at a news briefing Thursday that the water emergency would likely continue through the weekend.
Tyler Jones, a spokesman for Gov. Phil Murphy, said the state Department of Environmental Protection is providing technical assistance to resolve the water crisis.
“The Murphy Administration has been in close contact with county and local officials and the Passaic Valley Water Commission to monitor the situation and deploy resources as necessary, including providing water bottles and helping obtain showering stations for locals,” Jones said in a statement Friday night. “It is our hope that all water services are recovered within the next 12 to 24 hours.”
Water distribution sites will remain open through the weekend:
Paterson: Ralph Marcantonio Park, corner of North 8th Street and Oxford Street. Showers available at John F. Kennedy High School. Shut-ins can arrange to have water delivered by calling 973-321-1410.
Haledon: Water and showers available the recreation center, 83 Roe St. To arrange for water delivery, call police at 973-790-4444.
North Haledon: Water available at the Department of Public Works yard on Willow Brook Court. Showers next to the police department at 103 Overlook; handicap-accessible bathrooms at the recreation field at High Mountain School. To arrange for water delivery, 973-423-1111.
Prospect Park: Bottled and potable water at the municipal building, 106 Brown Ave.; portable showers outside Prospect Park Elementary School on Brown Ave. Arrange for delivery, 973-790-7900.
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Richard Cowen may be reached at rcowen@njadvancemedia.com.
