Waterbury water outage expands after second main break delays repairs
No timeline has been announced for repairs or the restoration of service.
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Waterbury's efforts to restore water service following a major transmission water main break suffered a setback early Friday when a second section of the pipe ruptured as crews were bringing the system back online.
Officials say approximately 15,020 residents and businesses are expected to be without water service until repairs to the second break are completed.
The original repair on Tompkins Street was completed around 1:30 a.m. by Water Department crews and Dayton Construction. However, as water was gradually reintroduced, another break developed about 10 feet from the initial repair site, forcing crews to shut down valves and begin a new excavation.
City officials said they must fully assess the damage before determining whether replacement parts already on site can be used. No timeline has been announced for repairs or the restoration of service.
The outage area has expanded to include the Town Plot and Country Club neighborhoods, where residents and businesses are expected to lose water as storage tanks are depleted.
A precautionary boil water advisory remains in effect for previously affected areas and is expected to be expanded to newly impacted neighborhoods once service is restored.
Mayor Paul K. Pernerewski Jr. acknowledged the frustration caused by the additional break, saying city crews continue to dedicate all available resources to restoring service as quickly as possible.
The city will continue distributing bottled water Friday from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Municipal Stadium North Parking Lot, 1200 Watertown Ave. Residents can also sign up for emergency notifications through Alert Waterbury at waterburyct.org/alerts.
