Paterson, New Jersey Mayor Andre Sayegh and Jim Mueller, the executive director of the Passaic Valley Water Commission, gave an update Monday on the massive water main break in Paterson that has left the entire city under a boil water advisory, impacting more than 185,000 people. 

The advisory covers all of Paterson, as well as Prospect Park, Haledon and North Haledon. Under the advisory, impacted residents should boil water for at least a minute before using it for drinking, preparing foods, mixing baby formula, washing produce, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth and washing dishes. Residents are also asked to limit outdoor water use, shorten showers, and only use dishwashers and washing machines when they're fully loaded.

Free bottled water distribution was available at Hillford Park near North 8th and Oxford Streets. Proof of residence in Paterson, Prospect Park, Haledon or North Haledon is required.  

Officials said Monday night that crews isolated the water main leak. They are now urging residents to conserve water as the work continues to fix the water main.

"The leak is still uncontrolled. We're in the in the process of recharging a line that we're hoping we can start delivering water to areas that are currently not getting it, and I can't put a time frame on it right now," Mueller said.

Monday's update came after Friday's water main break, when a 30-inch pipe ruptured near Hinchliffe Stadium, leaving area businesses and residents with little or no water pressure. The main that broke is very old, from the 19th century, Sayegh said.

Officials also looking into a cause.

"Now is not the time to point fingers. It is the time for all hands to be on deck," Sayegh said.

"Certainly, the earthquakes don't help and it's 140 years old. One of the complicated aspect of 140-year-old infrastructure, we don't even have good reliable drawings of what's in the group," Mueller said.

Mayors from the impacted towns are asking residents to conserve and to use pools to cool down.

"That's why I've issued a directive to shut down all of the splash pads and sprinklers for the week," Sayegh said.

"I do want to caution area residents against opening hydrants. You are going to just deplete our water pressure, and in the event of an emergency there is going to be absolutely no water to put out a fire," Paterson Fire Chief Alex Alicea said.

"It's very horrible conditions"

Efforts to repair the main continued throughout the weekend. On Saturday, Paterson opened a comfort zone at John F. Kennedy High School with portable bathrooms. On Sunday, shower trailers were added. Free water was also being distributed in multiple locations.

Paterson residents said they either have no water at all or very low pressure.

"It's a drizzle and then there is no water in the toilet. It's very horrible conditions," Vanessa Hopkins said.

"We just want the people to bring the water back. Just do everything they can to help us out," Paterson resident Shimere Baker said.

"We need it because we have a lot of family in my house my dad, he needs to take prescription. He's sick. We need to cook every day, but I can't," another person added.

"I have been to four friends' homes and yesterday I didn't even take a shower. I didn't want to move around. I didn't want to get sweaty," resident Warren Ellis said.

Officials said the repairs will be complete within the next 12-24 hours or so. Even after repairs are made, the boil advisory may remain in effect for several days while the system is tested. 

So far there's no word on the cause of the break.   

Businesses say that in order to keep their doors open, the Paterson Department of Health and Human Services is requiring them to bring in handwashing stations, bathrooms, and to buy ice and bottled beverages.