Several businesses have closed and residents have been warned not to flush their toilets except “when necessary” after city officials in Provincetown, Massachusetts, declared a sewer emergency due to thunderstorms earlier this week.
More than an inch of rain fell in Provincetown during a storm on Tuesday, causing electrical problems to the central vacuum system that runs the town’s sewer system. To reduce the risk of overflows, the town manager instructed residents to reduce “waste to the system” by halting unnecessary water usage.
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“That means no dishes, no laundry, and no bathrooms,” Town Manager Alex Morse said on Tuesday. “Essentially anything that adds waste into the sewer system. By doing these functions, you may create a backup into your property.”
However, the problems have not been fully remedied by Friday morning, with city officials noting it’s unclear when the sewer system will be restored. Restaurants and businesses have been instructed to remain closed until further notice and are only permitted to offer prepackaged food.
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Public restrooms throughout the city have also been closed, and residents are instructed not to flush their toilets unless it’s necessary. The city has provided several portable toilets located throughout the city to be used instead.
It’s not clear how long the repairs will take, but Morse predicted the sewage system should be restored before the town’s annual Carnival Week begins on Thursday.
