Where to find Waterbury’s drinking water distribution sites, other resources – fox61.com

Waterbury Responds to Major Water Main Break with Essential Services

Incident Overview and Immediate Impact

Waterbury, Connecticut is actively addressing the consequences of a significant water main break that occurred last week, severely affecting the city’s water supply infrastructure. The damage to a 36-inch transmission main on Thomaston Avenue resulted in thousands of residents losing access to potable water. While water service has been restored in some areas, others continue to face shortages and require alternative sources of clean drinking water.

Drinking Water Distribution and Accessibility

In alignment with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, the city has established two primary drinking water distribution sites to ensure equitable access to safe water for all residents:

1. Municipal Stadium, 1200 Watertown Avenue
2. Crosby High School, 300 Pierpont Road

These sites operate daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or until supplies are exhausted. Due to a delay in delivery trucks, the locations remained open Monday evening until all available supplies were distributed. The city emphasizes inclusivity by providing special assistance to elderly residents and individuals with disabilities who cannot travel to distribution points; these residents can contact the Emergency Operations Center via 311 or 203-597-3444 for support.

Community Engagement and Volunteer Support

Supporting SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, the United Way of Greater Waterbury is mobilizing community volunteers to assist with water distribution efforts at the designated sites on Tuesday and potentially Wednesday. Community members interested in volunteering can sign up online.

Additional Support Services: Shower Facilities

To further support affected residents and uphold SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, several local organizations have provided shower facilities:

• Greater Waterbury YMCA: Offering special shower hours on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, with required reservations via their Facebook page or online reservation system. A photo ID is mandatory.
• ACES Chase Academy: Located at 565 Chase Parkway, available for showers from 3 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday. Residents must sign up for 15-minute time slots here, present photo ID, and bring personal towels and supplies.
• Naugatuck YMCA: Open to Waterbury residents for shower use during this period.

Water Quality and Safety Measures

In accordance with SDG 6, the city maintains a boil water advisory until the water system is stabilized and water quality tests are completed and approved by the Connecticut Department of Public Health. Water samples are scheduled to be sent on Tuesday, with results expected by Wednesday.

Residents are advised that restored water may appear brown or discolored due to sediment. To mitigate this, the city recommends the following actions:

• Run cold water through bathtub faucets as needed to purge air from the system.
• Avoid using kitchen sinks or showers to release air.
• Temporarily remove sink aerators to prevent clogging.

Conclusion

Waterbury’s coordinated response to the water main break exemplifies a commitment to Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). Through community engagement, equitable resource distribution, and adherence to public health standards, the city strives to restore essential services and safeguard the health and well-being of its residents.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • The article focuses on ensuring access to clean and safe drinking water following a major water main break in Waterbury.
   • Distribution of clean water and maintaining water quality are central themes.
2. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Ensuring safe drinking water and hygiene facilities (showers) helps prevent waterborne diseases and promotes health.
   • The boil water advisory and water quality testing relate to public health protection.
3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The city’s response to infrastructure failure and provision of emergency services supports resilient and sustainable urban communities.
   • Special provisions for elderly and disabled residents highlight inclusive urban planning.
4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • Collaboration with United Way, YMCA, and local government agencies indicates partnerships to address the crisis.

2. Specific Targets Under the Identified SDGs

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • Target 6.1: Achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.
   • Target 6.3: Improve water quality by reducing pollution and minimizing release of hazardous materials.
2. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.9: Reduce illnesses and deaths from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Target 11.5: Reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected by disasters, including water infrastructure failures.
   • Target 11.3: Enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory planning and management.
4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. SDG 6 Indicators
   • 6.1.1: Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services — implied by the distribution of clean water and ongoing restoration efforts.
   • 6.3.2: Proportion of bodies of water with good ambient water quality — implied by water quality testing and boil water advisory.
2. SDG 3 Indicators
   • 3.9.1: Mortality rate attributed to unsafe water, unsafe sanitation, and lack of hygiene — implied by efforts to provide safe water and hygiene facilities to prevent health risks.
3. SDG 11 Indicators
   • 11.5.1: Number of deaths, missing persons and directly affected persons attributed to disasters — implied by the city’s emergency response to the water main break.
   • 11.3.1: Ratio of land consumption rate to population growth rate — indirectly implied by urban infrastructure management.
4. SDG 17 Indicators
   • 17.17.1: Amount of United States dollars committed to public-private partnerships — implied by collaboration with United Way and YMCA.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: fox61.com