Water Main Break Closes New Jersey School
What happened
Haledon Public School in New Jersey was forced to close due to a water main break. The incident also prompted a boil water advisory for area residents before the main was repaired. The break disrupted classes and raised concerns about local water safety.
Why it matters
- The water main break occurred on Belmont Avenue and prompted a boil water advisory for customers of the Manchester Utilities Authority. - This incident is part of a larger pattern of infrastructure challenges in the region, with aging pipes being a recurrent cause of water main breaks in Haledon and neighboring Paterson. - In January 2026, Haledon experienced three separate water main breaks within a 12-hour span due to freezing temperatures and old infrastructure, which also led to school closures. - The Passaic Valley Water Commission, which serves nearby areas, has been dealing with numerous breaks, including a major 42-inch main break in Paterson in August 2025 that took weeks to repair. - Aging water infrastructure is a statewide issue in New Jersey, with the state having over 500 structurally deficient bridges and facing significant infrastructure funding gaps. - To address these ongoing issues, Passaic County, where Haledon is located, recently received nearly $9 million in state grants for infrastructure repairs, including drainage improvements. - Previous large-scale water main breaks in the area have impacted over 185,000 residents and required the distribution of bottled water and the setup of portable bathrooms and showers.
Key numbers
- In January 2026, Haledon experienced three separate water main breaks within a 12-hour span due to freezing temperatures and old infrastructure, which also led to school closures.
- The Passaic Valley Water Commission, which serves nearby areas, has been dealing with numerous breaks, including a major 42-inch main break in Paterson in August 2025 that took weeks to repair.
- Aging water infrastructure is a statewide issue in New Jersey, with the state having over 500 structurally deficient bridges and facing significant infrastructure funding gaps.
- To address these ongoing issues, Passaic County, where Haledon is located, recently received nearly $9 million in state grants for infrastructure repairs, including drainage improvements.
Quick answers
What happened in Water Main Break Closes New Jersey School?
Haledon Public School in New Jersey was forced to close due to a water main break. The incident also prompted a boil water advisory for area residents before the main was repaired. The break disrupted classes and raised concerns about local water safety.
Why does Water Main Break Closes New Jersey School matter?
The water main break occurred on Belmont Avenue and prompted a boil water advisory for customers of the Manchester Utilities Authority. This incident is part of a larger pattern of infrastructure challenges in the region, with aging pipes being a recurrent cause of water main breaks in Haledon and neighboring Paterson. In January 2026, Haledon experienced three separate water main breaks within a 12-hour span due to freezing temperatures and old infrastructure, which also led to school closures. The Passaic Valley Water Commission, which serves nearby areas, has been dealing with numerous breaks, including a major 42-inch main break in Paterson in August 2025 that took weeks to repair. Aging water infrastructure is a statewide issue in New Jersey, with the state having over 500 structurally deficient bridges and facing significant infrastructure funding gaps. To address these ongoing issues, Passaic County, where Haledon is located, recently received nearly $9 million in state grants for infrastructure repairs, including drainage improvements. Previous large-scale water main breaks in the area have impacted over 185,000 residents and required the distribution of bottled water and the setup of portable bathrooms and showers.
