I wanted to provide you with the latest information regarding the major water main break that occurred Tuesday morning on Tompkins Street near Kaynor Technical High School. I know many residents are looking for updates, especially those who may not use social media platforms.
According to the City of Waterbury, approximately 5,100 homes and businesses have lost service. Most of the affected customers are served by the Clough Road storage tank, which can no longer be replenished because of the break. Those customers have been notified through the City's Alert Waterbury Reverse 911 system.
Water Department crews have been working continuously since early Tuesday morning alongside Dayton Construction. During excavation, crews discovered the break occurred at a bend in the transmission main, requiring a specialized fitting that is not typically kept in inventory. The replacement parts are expected to arrive beginning Wednesday and continuing into Thursday morning, allowing repairs to begin immediately. Crews have been on site since approximately 4:45 a.m. Tuesday morning working to prepare the area for the repair. If everything goes according to plan, repairs could be be completed as early as Thursday evening, with all work expected to be finished before the weekend.
Water Distribution
At this time, the City has not issued guidance regarding water distribution for affected residents.
My understanding is that City officials are waiting for the forecasted heavy rain to pass before finalizing and announcing a water distribution schedule. As soon as the City provides official information regarding bottled water distribution or other assistance, I will share those details with you immediately through email and my other communication channels.
Boil Water Advisory
Once water service is restored, any homes and businesses that experienced a loss of water service will be placed under a boil water advisory. This is a standard public health precaution following a water outage and will remain in effect until water quality testing confirms the water is safe to use.
Community Resource – Greater Waterbury YMCA
For residents in Bunker Hill, Town Plot, and the Country Club area who lose water service, the Greater Waterbury YMCA (136 West Main St.) is opening its locker rooms to the community through Friday, July 31, during regular hours (5 a.m. – 9 p.m.) so residents can shower and freshen up.
If you plan to use this service, please bring a valid photo ID (driver's license, state ID, or passport). I sincerely appreciate the Greater Waterbury YMCA for stepping up to support our community during this disruption.
I know this situation is frustrating and disruptive for many families and businesses. I appreciate the hard work of our Water Department crews, Dayton Construction, city officials, and everyone involved in restoring water service as safely and quickly as possible.
I will continue to monitor this situation closely and share updates as they become available. If you have any questions or need assistance, please don't hesitate to contact my office or reach out to me directly by email. We are here to help in any way we can.
