The Waterbury Times — December 13, 2025 –

Waterbury-The City of Waterbury is grappling with a critical water main break near Thomaston Avenue that has left much of the city and neighboring towns without water. The break, which involves a 36-inch transmission main, occurred earlier today and escalated as crews were unable to contain the initial damage. The situation has prompted a widespread loss of water service for residents and businesses in Waterbury, Wolcott, and Watertown.

Details of the Incident

The 36-inch water main, an old section of pipe, failed unexpectedly, causing significant disruption to the city’s water supply. The affected area spans from low-lying neighborhoods along the Naugatuck River to as far east as Hamilton Park, impacting much of Waterbury’s downtown area. Crews have been working tirelessly to assess and repair the damage, but the full extent of the break and the exact boundaries of the affected area are still being determined.

City officials, including Mayor Paul K. Pernerewski, Jr. and Water Superintendent Brad Malay, are on site overseeing the ongoing emergency response.

Waterbury Public Schools Closed Monday, December 15 Due to Water Main Break

“This is a serious infrastructure failure, and our priority is protecting public health and safety while restoring service as quickly as possible,” said Mayor Pernerewski. “Our teams are working around the clock, and we will continue to keep the public informed with updates as soon as they become available.”

Superintendent Malay echoed the urgency of the situation. “Once the 36-inch main failed, the situation escalated quickly. Our crews are doing everything they can to assess the damage and determine the safest repair method. We are fully focused on stabilizing the system and moving toward restoration,” he said.

THE REAL STORY BEHIND WATERBURY’S WATER MAIN BREAKS

What Residents Need to Know

Residents are urged to conserve any remaining water, as the city works to restore service. While the length of the outage remains uncertain, officials stress the importance of staying informed through official channels, including the city’s website and social media. A service area map, detailing which neighborhoods are affected, is being developed and will be shared as soon as it is available.

Hospitals and Critical Services

The city is coordinating closely with local hospitals and critical facilities to ensure that operations continue despite the water disruptions. Water trucks will be deployed to hospitals and other essential services to ensure patient care and operations remain uninterrupted.

Additionally, the Fire Department is working in collaboration with the Water Department to maintain fire protection capabilities during the outage. Mutual aid agreements are in place with surrounding communities to assist with fire response, if needed.

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Boil Water Advisory Expected

Once service is restored to affected areas, residents will be placed under a boil water advisory as a precaution. This advisory will apply to anyone who experiences a loss of water service or significant reduction in water pressure. Additional instructions regarding the boil water advisory will be provided when water service is restored.

Next Steps and Ongoing Updates

City officials are continuing to monitor the situation closely. As crews assess the damage and work on repairs, officials will keep the public updated on the progress and expected timeline for restoration.

“We recognize the serious impact this has on our residents, businesses, and critical facilities,” Mayor Pernerewski said. “Our crews are working tirelessly to resolve this as quickly as possible, and we appreciate everyone’s patience and cooperation during this challenging time.”

For more updates, residents are encouraged to check the City of Waterbury’s official website, social media pages, or sign up for notifications through the city’s emergency alert system.

The Waterbury Times