The boil water order issued by the commission asks residents not to fill large jugs or containers, water lawns or open hydrants until at least Friday, and officials warned that the order may remain in effect until sometime next week. It affects Paterson and three smaller neighboring communities.

The Passaic Valley Water Commission says 18,000 customers in the Riverside section of Paterson have little or no water.

Parts of Paterson and surrounding towns were without water, or were under a boil water advisory, on Aug. 25 due to an Aug. 24 water main break.