Press Release

For Immediate Release

December 17, 2025

Contact:

Jennifer Rose

Press Secretary, Office of Mayor Paul K. Pernerewski, Jr.

Email: Jrose@waterburyct.org

City Issues Urgent Request to Conserve Water and Delay System Flushing

(Waterbury, CT) – Mayor Paul Pernerewski and Water Superintendent Brad Malay and the entire Waterbury Water Department are making an urgent and impassioned request that residents temporarily refrain from flushing their individual plumbing systems until tomorrow.

While water service has been restored citywide, the city must allow critical water storage tanks to fully refill in order to stabilize the system. At this time, water usage across Waterbury has surged well beyond sustainable levels as residents flush air from their systems.

Current water demand exceeds what the treatment plant can supply. In fact, the city is using more water right now than it typically uses on the Fourth of July, historically the single highest water usage day of the year.

This extraordinary level of demand is slowing the system’s ability to rebuild adequate pressure and refill storage tanks, which is essential for long term system stability and reliable service for all neighborhoods.

Residents are strongly asked to conserve water and, if possible, delay flushing their systems until tomorrow to allow the storage tanks to fully recharge.

City officials understand residents’ desire to restore normal household operations and appreciate the patience and cooperation being shown during this critical phase of recovery.

The city will continue to monitor system conditions closely and provide updates as progress continues.