PROVINCETOWN, Mass. (WBZ News Radio) — ‘P’ has turned into P-town. Provincetown’s sewer emergency was lifted for all residents, restaurants and businesses Saturday, just one day before the 44th annual Carnival celebration begins.
The city of Provincetown announced that the downtown vacuum sewer system has returned to stable operation allowing residents and businesses to gradually return to normal water use.
Over the past 48 hours, many restaurants and businesses in the downtown area of Commercial and Bradford streets were ordered to close while the city worked to restore the vacuum sewer system. Residents in the affected downtown area were also asked to refrain from any unnecessary water use, including dishwashing, rinsing and laundry. While public restrooms were closed, the city set up portable restrooms near City Hall.
Tourists left while the sewer emergency was in effect, driving away the business that local shops and restaurants depend on in the summer months. Provincetown’s population ranges from approximately 3,000 to 60,000 tourists in the summer months, according to the Provincetown Office of Tourism.
Read more: Peregrine falcons have made Norwood Town Hall their new home
The sewer system was restored just in time for Provincetown’s annual week-long carnival beginning Aug. 13, which takes place in the downtown area. The theme of this year’s carnival is monsters, myths and legends. The festivities will draw tens of thousands of tourists to attend parades, parties, events and costume contests, according to the Provincetown Business Guide that hosts the celebration.
Now the celebrations can begin with a flood of approval.