Media Release

For Immediate Release
Date: July 12, 2006     

MIDDLETOWN SEWER MAIN REPAIR COMPLETED
VOLUNTARY WATER USAGE RESTRICTION ENDS

The Town of Middletown and the Department of Health (HEALTH) report that the repairs to the sewer main line that broke yesterday have been completed. The Wave Avenue Pump Station went back on line at approximately 12:15 PM today.  Approximately 30 feet of new pipe was installed and pressure tested before the process of backfilling the hole began.  No further leaks were identified.

An estimated 1.25 million gallons of sewage overflowed along the course of the incident, and 250,000 gallons were pumped and taken by truck to the treatment plant in Newport.  

HEALTH officials have lifted the voluntary restriction on water use as of now, which means that Middletown residents can resume normal water usage at this time.

“We recognize that the restriction on water use was an inconvenience for the residents of Middletown, and I want to take this opportunity to personally thank everyone who used less water than they normally would have for the past 24 hours. People really helped us keep the problem under control by following our recommendations, and their joint effort actually reduced the amount of discharge to almost half of what it would have been,” said David R. Gifford, MD, MPH, Director of HEALTH.

Easton’s Beach and the Atlantic Beach Club Beach remain closed for swimming until further notice.

Officials will continue to monitor the water quality in all closed beach areas, and will recommend re-opening when the areas are safe for swimming.

For the latest information about beach closures and openings go to www.health.ri.gov or call the beaches hotline at (401) 222-2751.