Photo: Getty Images
PROVINCETOWN, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — The 'P' is back in P-town. The Provincetown sewer emergency was lifted for all residents, restaurants, and businesses on Saturday, just one day before the 44th annual Carnival celebration begins.
The Town of Provincetown announced the downtown vacuum sewer system was returned to stable operation allowing residents and businesses to gradually return to normal water use.
Over the last 48 hours, many restaurants and businesses in the downtown area on Commercial and Bradford streets were ordered to close while the town worked on restoring the vacuum sewer system. Residents in the affected downtown area were also asked to refrain from any unnecessary water use including dishwashing, flushing, and laundry. While public bathrooms were closed, the town set up portable bathrooms next to Town Hall.
Photo: Courtesy of The Town of Provincetown
Tourists were sent away while the sewer emergency was in effect, sending away business that local shops and restaurants depend on in the summer months. The Provincetown population goes from roughly 3,000 to 60,000 from tourists in the summer months, according to the Provincetown Office of Tourism.
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The sewer system was restored just in time for the annual week-long Provincetown Carnival beginning August 13 that takes place in the downtown area. This year's carnival theme is monsters, myths and legends. The festivities will attract tens of thousands of tourists to take part in the parade, parties, events, and costume contests, according to the Provincetown Business Guide who host the celebration.
Now the festivities can begin with a flush of approval.
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