By D.M.Livington|Published Dec 13 2025

Updated Dec 16 2025 8:05AM

Waterbury, CT – Waterbury is facing an unprecedented crisis after a major water main break left the city’s water supply in disarray, severely disrupting hospital operations and emergency services. Mayor Pernerewski addressed the situation in a press conference today, revealing that local hospitals, including St. Mary’s and Waterbury Hospital, are unable to receive emergency patients due to the critical water shortage.

A Complex Crisis Affecting Every Department

Mayor Pernerewski described the water main break as a “complex issue” that is impacting nearly every aspect of city life. “This is affecting every department and every resident in Waterbury,” said the mayor. “From healthcare to emergency services, this is an unprecedented situation, and our teams are working tirelessly to restore normal services.”

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Hospitals Struggling with Water Shortage

The water main break has caused a major disruption to local hospitals, with one of the two St. Mary’s and Waterbury Hospital temporarily unable to receive emergency patients due to the lack of a reliable water supply. Water is essential for a wide range of hospital functions, including sanitation, patient care, and emergency services. Without a steady water supply, both hospitals have had to adjust their operations.

In an effort to assist, neighboring towns have deployed tanker trucks to deliver water to both hospitals to ensure that critical services can continue. The tankers are helping to supply water for basic hospital functions while officials work to restore the city’s water infrastructure.

“Without access to water, we cannot safely accommodate emergency patients,” said a spokesperson for Waterbury Hospital. “We are currently prioritizing critical care for our existing patients, but we must temporarily suspend emergency intake until the water supply is restored.”

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Tankers on Standby: Providing Critical Water Support

To mitigate the situation, tanker trucks from neighboring towns have been placed on standby and are delivering water to essential services. These tankers are providing a vital lifeline, not only assisting with hospital water needs but also supporting firefighting efforts across the city.

“We are fully prepared to help both the hospitals and firefighting operations as needed,” said Fire Chief Javier Lopez. “The support from neighboring towns is crucial to ensure that basic services can continue while we address the larger issue.”

City-Wide Response: Coordinating Efforts

With both emergency services and hospital operations impacted, the city is coordinating efforts across multiple departments to ensure that Waterbury residents are kept safe during this crisis. Public Works teams are working around the clock to repair the broken water main and restore the city’s water supply, but Mayor Pernerewski stressed that it may take time before the situation is fully resolved.

“This is a difficult situation, but we are prioritizing public health and safety,” Mayor Pernerewski explained. “Our teams are working together to restore the water system as quickly as possible, and we are doing everything we can to minimize the impact on residents and first responders.”

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What Residents Can Do

As the water main break continues to affect city services, residents are asked to stay informed through official city channels for updates. Those living near hospitals or emergency services should take extra caution to avoid obstructing essential routes for tankers or emergency vehicles.

Residents are also encouraged to follow water conservation measures and avoid non-essential water usage to assist the city’s efforts to manage the remaining water supply. Updates on hospital operations and other essential services will be provided as soon as they become available.

Long-Term Solutions and Repairs Underway

While the immediate focus is on restoring water supply to critical services, city officials are also planning for long-term improvements to prevent such crises in the future. Waterbury’s Public Works Department is conducting a full review of the water system to identify any other weaknesses that could affect emergency services or public health.

Conclusion

Waterbury is currently facing a critical water shortage due to a major water main break that is disrupting hospital operations and emergency services across the city. Tankers have been mobilized to assist both St. Mary’s and Waterbury Hospitals, and emergency teams are working tirelessly to restore services. The city is in the midst of an ongoing response, and officials are doing everything possible to ensure public safety while resolving the crisis.

Stay tuned to The Waterbury Times for further updates on the situation as it develops.

The Waterbury Times