Full Notification

For Immediate Release
Friday, August 15, 2025
 
A Message from the Haledon Office of Emergency Management (OEM)
 
Borough of Haledon Local WATER Emergency
Recovery in Progress
Water Distribution Efforts and Portable Shower Availability Remain Ongoing
  
Haledon, NJ – After isolating the major water main break in the City of Paterson near Hinchcliffe Stadium and containing the leak following more than 20 feet of excavation, the Passaic Valley Water Commission confirms that this was not an average water main break. In most municipalities, including the Borough of Haledon, water main breaks are not uncommon. However, it was reported that the specific major water main break in question in the City of Paterson involved a 30-inch water main that services significant portions of the Passaic Valley Water Commission System. Furthermore, this major water main was reportedly located under treacherous terrain and an extensive retaining wall behind Hinchcliffe Stadium, which severely hampered repair efforts. Nevertheless, while utility workers worked diligently to contain the major water main break, the Passaic Valley Water Commission, in collaboration with the Manchester Utilities Authority and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, began implementing strategic alternatives to support the Borough of Haledon with water. This included temporarily tapping into the water system from Wayne Township to provide residents with some relief while repair efforts continued near Hinchcliffe Stadium.
 
As restoration efforts progressed, our residents began to report gradually regaining limited water pressure, sufficient for basic needs like showering and flushing toilets. Unfortunately, many residents were still experiencing low or no pressure at all, as utility workers continued to work around the clock to fix the problem at the water main break site in the City of Paterson.
 
In response to this situation, the Borough of Haledon established a Unified Command on the morning of August 9, 2025. This unified command consisted of Mayor Michael Johnson, Haledon Office of Emergency Management Coordinator Carlos Aymat, Finance Chairman Mohammad Ramadan, Chief of Police Angelo J. Daniele, Deputy Chief of Police George Guzman, Jr., Chief of the Haledon Fire Department Tom Bakker, and the Haledon Fire Prevention Bureau. Additionally, Haledon Department of Public Works Superintendent Rocco Feldhann and Foreman Drew Doran were key members of this command. Through our collective efforts and in cooperation with the Passaic County Office of Emergency Management, the State of New Jersey Office of Emergency Management, and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, we took decisive actions to procure bottled water, drinking water, non-drinking (non-potable) water, and portable showers for our residents. Furthermore, we maintained a Temporary Shelter (Cooling Center) with available bottled water for any resident wishing to cool off and relax. Moreover, the Haledon Police Department and the Haledon Fire Department consistently operated a bottled water delivery service for our seniors and individuals with disabilities who required transportation assistance and support, which remains ongoing. In addition, we maintained close communication with our senior services in the community, such as The Gatherings, the Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco, and the Diamond Years Senior Center.

Our team remained in constant communication with the Passaic Valley Water Commission, the Manchester Utilities Authority, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, the Passaic County Fire Mutual Aid Coordinator, the Passaic County Office of Emergency Management, and the State of New Jersey Office of Emergency Management. We also maintained communication with officials from the City of Paterson, the Borough of Prospect Park, and the Borough of North Haledon.
 
As of yesterday evening, Thursday, August 14, 2025, the Manchester Utilities Authority and the Passaic Valley Water Commission have confirmed that they have begun systematically repressurizing the water systems in the affected areas, including the Borough of Haledon. However, as reported by the Manchester Utilities Authority and the Passaic Valley Water Commission, this is a very delicate, sensitive, and measured process because they are doing everything possible to avoid further water main breaks within our borough’s water system, which could lead to additional complications. Nevertheless, the Manchester Utilities Authority confirms that infrastructure utility companies are on stand-by and prepared to address any water main breaks within our borough’s system should they arise. If a water main break does occur during this process, which is anticipated, please do not be alarmed and allow the utility workers to address the situation. Residents are urged not to open fire hydrants and to refrain from drinking water from fire hydrants that may be legitimately opened by utility workers as they continue to address the water system.
 
Due to the totality of the circumstances, at the Borough of Haledon Mayor and Council Meeting on Thursday, August 15, 2025, pursuant to the Haledon Municipal Code, the Haledon Governing Body adopted a resolution declaring a local water emergency in the Borough of Haledon. This order is retroactive to Friday, August 8, 2025, and shall take effect immediately until further notice.
 
By order, within the Borough of Haledon, a complete ban and prohibition of all outdoor water usage, including the watering of lawns and plants, irrigation systems, the filling of pools, and the washing of vehicles, is hereby imposed. A Boil Water Advisory remains in effect, and the water use restriction shall apply to all residents, tenants, and businesses, except where a bona fide health emergency exists.
 
The water use restrictions will be enforced by the Superintendent of Public Works and other borough designated personnel, including the Haledon Police Department, the Haledon Fire Department, and the Code Enforcement Officer. Violators shall receive a written warning for the first offense. Additional penalties for subsequent violations shall be imposed as outlined in Section 397-12 of the Haledon Municipal Code, including fines and penalties.
 
As we continue to recover from this water emergency, and until we are fully restored, water conservation efforts are essential, and our enforcement measures will take effect immediately. The Borough of Haledon Local Water Emergency Declaration shall remain in effect until it is determined that a water emergency no longer exists within the Borough of Haledon.
 
All curbside trash and recycling pickup remains on schedule. The Haledon Recycling Center (Haledon Municipal Complex - 510 Belmont Avenue) also remains open during its regular operating hours. We kindly urge everyone to dispose of water bottles accordingly.
 
The Passaic County Department of Health Services has lifted emergency closures for all retail food and tattoo operations during this water emergency, provided that certain protective measures are adhered to.
 
Alternate side of the street parking is still suspended until further notice, as the street sweeper is currently out of service.
 
We encourage our Haledon community to opt in to our Nixle Emergency Alert System to receive important advisories and alerts by texting our Zip Code, 07508, to 888777, or by visiting nixle.com. You may also follow us on Facebook (@haledonpolice and @haledonborough) and Instagram (@haledonpolice and @haledonborough) for updates and information.
 
Although work and progress remain ongoing, and we are not out of the woods yet, we would like to thank the following entities that have truly stepped up to assist us from the onset of this unforeseen emergency:

• Braen Stone Industries 
• Molly Ann Farms 
• Pure Alkaline Water (289 Belmont Avenue, Haledon, NJ) 
• MJ-Aqua (527 High Mountain Road, North Haledon, NJ) 
• The Salvation Army 
• Haledon Walgreens 
• Restaurant Depot 
• The State of New Jersey Office of Emergency Management 
• Senior Haledon Police Chaplain Pastor Richard Jones and the Bridgeway Community Church (Haledon, NJ)
• The Passaic County Office of Emergency Management 
• Sheriff Thomas Adamo and the Passaic County Sheriff's Office 
• New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection 
• BTS Towing 
• St. Joseph's University Medical Center 
• Non-Profit Organizations: La Rosa Poderosa Foundation, the World Organization for Positive Action, Give Thanks, and Give Back 
• Access Self Storage 
• United States Navy Recruitment Center 
• Fire Chief Alex Alicia of the City of Paterson Fire Department, who provides ambulance services to our borough and has continued to respond to medical calls efficiently despite the circumstances. 
• Lastly, School Superintendent Jon Coviello of Manchester Regional High School and School Superintendent Chris Wacha of Haledon Public School have remained in communication with our team as well.

Instructions:

Within the jurisdiction of the Borough of Haledon, please adhere to a complete ban and prohibition of all outdoor water usage, including the watering of lawns and plants, irrigation systems, the filling of pools, and the washing of vehicles. A Boil Water Advisory remains in effect, and the water use restriction shall apply to all residents, tenants, and businesses, except where a bona fide health emergency exists.