Water slowly being restored in Haledon, but boil water advisory still in effect
HALEDON, New Jersey (WABC) -- It's been one week since a water main break left residents in Passaic County high and dry.
City leaders and water officials in Paterson said they have recovered water service to all city residents on Thursday evening, but some nearby communities are still without water service.
Officials cautioned that recovered water service is not the same as normal restored water service, which will take longer.
A new order went out in Haledon banning all outdoor water usage for the time being.
Despite progress on repairing the broken main, a boil water advisory will likely continue for another week.
Local businesses that want to reopen have been ordered to comply with the boil water advisory and must have functioning restrooms.
There's also a refilling station in town for drinking and non-drinking water, plus free showers next to the police headquarters.
All residents should be experiencing a water return, but officials say the water needs to be boiled before using it and to conserve as much of it as you can.
This will help the system rebuild pressure when water is restored completely.
The high-elevation town is still wating for safe, running water to flow again to homes and businesses.
"The water has just been coming, going, coming going, we thought it was coming back and then all of a sudden it dissapeared again but then came back again this morning," North Haledon resident Anthony Lee said.
Now on day 7, a local dog grooming shop reopened after facing a week long backlog of appointments.
Repairs are ongoing with hopes of major strides on Friday.
There is no officials estimated time when water will be fully restored.
The Water Commission is pushing for it as soon as possible and so are its hopeful and frustrated residents.
"I'm not even going to get my hopes up, when it comes back, it comes back," Lee said.
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