The Waterbury Times|Published Dec 16, 2025 4:27PM

WATERBURY, CT — Mayor Paul K. Pernerewski, Jr. provided an update today on the City of Waterbury’s ongoing water system restoration efforts, including current system conditions, drinking water distribution operations, and immediate steps being taken to strengthen the city’s aging water infrastructure.

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Water is continuing to be reintroduced into the system under low-pressure conditions, a deliberate and necessary process designed to safely release air from the lines. City officials emphasized that this controlled approach is critical due to the size and age of Waterbury’s water system, as increasing pressure too quickly could damage smaller mains and residential service connections.

City crews are actively monitoring conditions across the system as pressure is gradually increased.

While water service is returning to homes, Waterbury remains under a boil water advisory. Water samples are scheduled to be sent to a state-certified laboratory tomorrow morning, with results expected Thursday morning. The advisory will remain in effect until testing confirms that the system is free of bacterial contamination.

City officials reiterated that the top priority remains the safe and stable restoration of water service, while minimizing the risk of additional infrastructure failures.

Updated Drinking Water Distribution Plan

The City of Waterbury continues its bottled water distribution efforts, with adjustments based on current demand and supply levels.

• Municipal Stadium, 1200 Watertown Avenue, will distribute bottled water tomorrow beginning at 9:00 a.m., continuing until supplies are depleted.
• The Crosby High School distribution site is no longer in operation.

Residents are encouraged to arrive early, as supplies remain limited.

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Infrastructure Planning and Next Steps

Looking beyond immediate restoration, Mayor Pernerewski announced a proactive approach to strengthening Waterbury’s water infrastructure. In the coming weeks, the Mayor will meet with Director of Finance Mike LeBlanc, Budget Director Sarah Geary, and Water Superintendent Brad Malay to identify critical weaknesses within the system and begin addressing them without waiting for the next fiscal year budget cycle.

“Our focus is on both restoring service safely today and making sure we are better prepared for the future,” Mayor Pernerewski said. “We are taking a hard look at our system, identifying vulnerabilities, and moving forward with improvements as quickly and responsibly as possible.”

Acknowledging Community Impact

Mayor Pernerewski acknowledged the significant hardship the water disruption has placed on residents, families, and businesses across Waterbury, particularly those who have gone extended periods without reliable water service.

“We know how deeply this has impacted people’s daily lives, and we do not take that lightly,” the Mayor said. “It has disrupted routines, created stress for families and businesses, and tested people’s patience in very real ways.”

Despite these challenges, the Mayor noted the strong sense of cooperation and compassion shown throughout the community.

“In times of real hardship, the strength of a community is often revealed,” Mayor Pernerewski said. “What we are seeing across Waterbury is care for one another, patience in the face of difficulty, and a shared commitment to getting through this together.”

The City of Waterbury will continue to provide updates as water service restoration progresses and longer-term infrastructure planning moves forward.

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