Water main break impacts hundreds in Paterson, including St. Joseph’s Medical Center

A water main break in Passaic County is not only impacting residents but also a hospital.

Paterson firefighters spent most of Wednesday pumping water into the cooling systems of Saint Joseph’s Medical Center in Paterson to make sure the air conditioning units inside the hospital are functioning. This comes as the Passaic Valley Water Commission works to fix the break.

“The heat does not help at all. It only exacerbates a very untenable situation,” says Mayor Andre Sayegh.

Officials say the break happened around 11 a.m. Wednesday at 21st Avenue and Spring Street. Residents have since reported low pressure, discolored water, or in some cases, no water at all - specifically those who live in South Paterson.

A boil water advisory was issued for residents in parts of South Paterson, according to the Passaic Valley Water Commission. The advisory impacts the areas of Route 9 to East Railway Avenue and Madison Avenue to Genessee Avenue.

Officials with Saint Joseph’s Medical Center wrote in a statement, “St. Joseph’s University Medical Center has activated its Emergency Operation Command Center…At this time, the medical center is currently operating at restricted water pressure – allowing for all standard and usual functions to be maintained without interruption. As such, there has been no impact on direct patient care.”

The hospital is also diverting all emergency care to nearby hospitals.

It was not immediately clear when the water main break would be repaired.