Waterbury, Connecticut, is making strides to restore water service following a significant water main break that occurred on March 1, 2024. According to Mayor Paul K. Pernerewski, Jr., both Waterbury and St. Mary Hospital are now operating with full water capacity. While the west side of the city and nearby Watertown have regained service, much of downtown Waterbury is still reliant on a 12-inch gravity-fed line.
During a press conference on Sunday, Pernerewski could not specify when full water service would be restored citywide. In light of the ongoing situation, city officials announced that schools will remain closed on Monday, with a decision regarding their reopening to be evaluated daily. A boil advisory is currently in effect, preventing restaurants from serving customers until water is deemed safe by the state Department of Public Health.
The extent of the damage surpasses initial assessments, as Water Superintendent Brad Malay indicated that the situation is more severe than anticipated. The initial incident, a 12-inch water main break on Wednesday, was followed by a more substantial 36-inch main failure at 23:00 on Friday. Malay stated, “That area is much worse than we thought it was going to be. Right now we are formulating a Plan B for the city,” emphasizing efforts to redirect water and create a new section of main to maintain service while repairs are underway.
The water service disruption has prompted concerns about fire safety in the area. Waterbury Fire Chief Javier Lopez confirmed that the department is coordinating with surrounding towns to ensure emergency services remain accessible. “The fire department continues to ensure that fire protection is maintained throughout the city. We’re doing that by deploying additional resources in the water area, which includes tankers from surrounding communities,” Lopez explained. The fire department had to utilize these resources during a scrapyard fire on Saturday night, highlighting the critical need for reliable water access.
Support for residents affected by the water outages has come from the National Guard and Team Rubicon, a veteran-led humanitarian group, which have been distributing water at Municipal Stadium and Crosby High School. Water distribution will continue on Monday from 09:00 to 17:00, or until supplies run out. Additionally, the United Way of Greater Waterbury is facilitating volunteer sign-ups to assist with the distribution efforts.
Mayor Pernerewski noted that the city is collaborating with various non-government organizations to ensure that residents who are unable to travel can receive water. Residents can call the city’s non-emergency line at 311 or reach 203-597-3444 for more information on assistance and resources available during this challenging time.
