Water has been restored to Waterbury after a massive water main break last Friday, but a citywide boil water advisory remains in effect Wednesday.
“At 8:30 last night, we were able to begin increasing pressure and releasing the 30-inch pressure valve pressure lines into the system, and overnight, much of the system was filled. At this time, there is water throughout the system. Everyone should have water at this time,” Waterbury Mayor Paul Pernerewski said at a press conference with the city’s water department on Wednesday.
Water samples were collected Wednesday morning and sent to the state public health laboratory, with results expected Thursday morning.
“We hope to have a clean bill of health going forward,” Penerewski said. “If this is not done, we will test again within 24 hours.”
A news release Wednesday said city officials did make an “urgent and passionate request that residents refrain from flushing their personal plumbing systems until tomorrow.”
“While water service has been restored citywide, the city must allow critical water storage tanks to be fully filled to stabilize the system. Currently, water usage throughout Waterbury is well above sustainable levels as residents remove air from the system,” the release states.
According to Waterbury officials, water demand exceeds the treatment plant’s ability to supply, and as of about 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, the city was using more water than it did on July 4, the highest water-use day of the year.
“This extraordinary level of demand is slowing the system’s ability to rebuild adequate pressure and refill storage tanks, which is critical to the system’s long-term stability and reliable service to all communities,” the release said. “Residents are urged to conserve water and, if possible, postpone flushing the system until tomorrow to allow the storage tanks to be fully charged.”
Waterbury Water Director Brad Malay said the department did it on purpose because “I don’t want to disrupt people’s service lines.”
“A lot of the service lines that connect to the main lines are old. I mean, really old,” Ma said. Advertisement
Penelewski warned that just because residents now have running water, they shouldn’t drink it unless the water has been boiled or until test results are available. “The same goes for restaurants. Until those test results come back, they should remain closed unless they have an alternative water source that is completely separate from the city system,” he said.
Waterbury Health Department Health Director Aisling McGuckin asked residents to exercise caution.
“If you’re making infant formula, you should use bottled water,” McGuckin says. “You shouldn’t use boiling water. Even boiled water is not suitable for babies. If you’re going to make coffee, you need to boil the water. You can’t put water in a coffee machine and expect it to come out hot, but that’s unboiled water.”
As for bathing before test results come back, anyone with an open wound or who is immunocompromised and unable to fight off infection should not bathe until the results are back out of an abundance of caution, McGuckin said.
Adults without these conditions can safely shower with the water without drinking it, she added.
“They can do laundry and dishes with confidence. If you wash dishes by hand, let them drip dry,” McGuckin says. “Don’t towel dry them because if there’s bacteria in the water, you’re going to have bacteria on the towel and you’re going to continue to spread the infection. E. coli is the main infection we’re most concerned about with changes in water quality.”
Waterbury schools will reopen Thursday. According to Pernerewski, all schools now have water. Two schools had backflow valve issues that have been fixed.
“We have hundreds of cases of water ready to be delivered to schools tomorrow,” Waterbury Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Darren Schwartz said Wednesday. “All the bubblers and water fountains will be covered tomorrow.”
Schwartz said the school is also taking extra precautions in food service “and making sure we are following health department recommendations, both in terms of food preparation and handling so that students are safe when consuming the food.”
Waterbury residents who are still without water are asked to call 311 or the water department. Bottled water will be available Wednesday at Municipal Stadium, 1200 Watertown Ave., until supplies are exhausted.
Penelewski said home delivery will continue for residents who are elderly, frail or housebound. These deliveries are supported by United Way volunteers and local nonprofit partners in coordination with the city. Residents needing assistance should call 311 or 203-597-3444.
