‘We have to take care of our four-legged friends.’ Paterson water main break impacts animal shelter
Officials say areas west of the Passaic River may not see full pressure for a few more days. But as repairs continue and residents remain in a boil water advisory, dogs at the animal shelter are also impacted.
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Paterson residents are still reeling after Friday’s water main break that has impacted more than 200,000 residents in Passaic County.
Officials say areas west of the Passaic River may not see full pressure for a few more days. But as repairs continue and residents remain in a boil water advisory, dogs at the animal shelter are also impacted.
On a normal day, cleaning dog cages would be done with a hose.
Chief John DeCando from Paterson Animal Control explains how he and his staff are keeping the dog cages clean using jugs of water, while their building has little to no water.
"Angel has to put in water, then he has to get the squeegee, push down on every cage, make sure everything is sanitized clean, and then what we do is then clean out the drain. We end up putting bleach in the drain so it ends up killing all the bacteria," DeCando said.
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Since Friday’s water main break, not only have residents had to make due without water, but the same goes for the staff at the Louise Fava Animal Shelter, who are charged with taking care of the city’s abandoned animals.
A task that normally takes a few minutes now takes longer.
"It’s a lot of work, but it has to be done. We have to take care of our four-legged friends," DeCando said.
According to officials, the leak has been isolated, allowing water back to the system. A boil water advisory is still in effect, which means the shelter’s staff must go to nearby Wayne for fresh water.
"We’re not going to give it to the dogs unless we boil. Who has time for that? Angel goes to Wayne, brings the water back here, and we give them fresh water," DeCando said.
The shelter started the day with some 16 dogs. They’re now down to just over 10 who have to be cared for through this water crisis.
"Our job is to make sure all these dogs and cats and all the animals here have fresh water," DeCando said.
