Congresswoman Pou Meets with NPS, NJDEP and PVWC Officials at Site of Ruptured Pipe in Paterson

PATERSON, NJ – Congresswoman Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09) today visited the site of the ruptured pipe that has caused a crisis in Passaic County, leading to approximately 200,000 North Jerseyans to be without water for days. There she met with federal, state and local water authority representatives. 

“That families in our communities have gone without water for days is an unbearable burden. It is unacceptable that Americans in 2025 are relying on pipes that date back to the 1880s. The leaders at the site explained to me that they are coordinating closely with each other and are working around the clock to restore service to all our communities. But too many of our residents remain without water. The sense of urgency to fix this cannot be greater,” said Congresswoman Pou.

Pou met with the Executive Director of the Passaic Valley Water Commission and a representative of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection at the site. Also present for her visit was a federal representative of the National Park Service to assess how the pipe failure impacts the Paterson Great Falls National Historic Park. 

“Our phones have been open to field calls and provide assistance to constituents in need. My office has initiated an all-of-government action, working with local, county, state, and federal leaders to coordinate a joint response that brings critical aid to our neighbors to end this tragedy. From my seat on Congress’s subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, I will continue to pursue every federal dollar to repair and replace old pipes in our communities. There is no good reason why any members of our communities should be faced with shortages of clean and safe drinking water – especially because of old pipes,” concluded Pou.

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