Businesses adapt after water main break disrupts Veterans Day plans

Rochester, N.Y. (WHAM) — A massive water main break on Culver Road left approximately 30 homes and businesses without water for most of Tuesday, causing significant disruptions.

BACKGROUND: Water main breaks on Culver Road | Water main break on Culver Road frustrates neighbors

Donuts Delite had planned to give away free pizza and donuts for Veterans Day, but had to adapt quickly to the situation.

“We knew that they were going to turn the water off,” said owner Nick Semeraro. “So we started bucketing, putting it in buckets. And we also bought a lot of gallons. So the city’s been bringing gallons and gallons and gallons of water so we can keep going.”

Despite the challenges, Semeraro and his team managed to keep the tradition alive.

“We had to open up,” he said. “It’s very important not to shut down. So we try to honor that commitment that we do every year.”

The shop switched to takeout service using plasticware, allowing them to continue serving customers.

Across the street, New Comer Cremations & Funerals, which still had water, opened its doors to neighboring workers.

“There are facilities that people come over there to take a break from grieving and having services over here,” said director Greta Barnett. “So we have a very good working relationship with them. So when they have needs like that, we can certainly help out in that regard.”

Donuts Delite also provided coffee and donuts to the crews working to repair the break.

“You don’t realize turning on that sink, the convenience of that, right?,” Semeraro said, reflecting on a similar, separate experience. “So now it’s just a reminder of those conveniences.”

A spokesperson for the City of Rochester stated that the affected stretch of Culver Road near Clifford Avenue will remain closed into Wednesday morning. Residents who had their water shut off are advised to run their water for five minutes to flush the pipes before using it.