The Waterbury Times|Published Dec 16, 2025

WATERBURY, CT — The City of Waterbury has officially lifted its citywide Boil Water Advisory, effective immediately, after state-certified laboratory testing confirmed the municipal water supply is safe for normal use and consumption.

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City officials announced that as of 4:09 p.m., all water quality samples collected from 22 locations across the distribution system tested negative for Total Coliform and E. coli bacteria, meeting all state and federal drinking water standards.

The advisory had been in place for six days following a major water system failure that disrupted service citywide. Officials described the incident as one of significant scope and complexity, requiring extensive repairs, system stabilization, and multiple rounds of testing before the advisory could be lifted.

“This announcement brings to a close a very difficult chapter for our city, especially during what should have been a time of family, tradition, and preparation for the holidays,” said Mayor Paul K. Pernerewski, Jr. “I want to thank our residents and businesses for their patience and resilience. Neighbors stepped up for one another, and our Water Department crews worked around the clock in freezing conditions to restore service safely.”

The mayor emphasized that lifting the advisory marks the final phase of an emergency response that began nine days ago, restoring normalcy for residents and businesses across Waterbury.

Residents may now safely resume using tap water for drinking, cooking, and all household purposes.

City officials stated that the Waterbury Water Department will continue reviewing system performance, documenting lessons learned, and advancing long-term infrastructure planning to improve reliability and resilience.

Full laboratory test results will be made publicly available on the city’s official website.

For additional information, residents may contact the Waterbury Water Department at (203) 574-8251.