CNY Residents Confront Water Shortage During Christmas Week Celebrations
Central New York residents are currently facing a significant water shortage due to a major pipe break. The Onondaga County Water Authority (OCWA) is actively working to replace a ruptured water main that has disrupted supply to various towns, particularly during the Christmas week celebrations.
CNY Residents Face Water Shortage During Christmas Week
The broken pipe, located in Cicero, has impacted six towns: DeWitt, Manlius, Pompey, Lenox, Lincoln, and Sullivan. Collectively, these areas typically consume around 5 million gallons of water daily. Due to the emergency, local authorities are urging residents and businesses to cut their water usage down to 3.5 million gallons per day. Officials announced that the community has already made progress towards achieving this goal.
Mandatory Water Consumption Restrictions
In response to the crisis, officials have issued specific guidelines to help residents manage their water consumption:
- Limit showers to five minutes.
- Only run dishwashers with full loads.
- Refrain from washing vehicles.
It remains up to each individual and business to decide how to implement these guidelines. For instance, a local coffee shop, facing a water shortage, has switched to take-out cups only, while a doctor’s office has opted for portable toilets.
Community Responses and Adaptations
Jeff Brown, the OCWA Director, noted that residential water conservation is crucial. Approximately 27,000 customers include both residential and commercial users who must all contribute to this effort. For businesses like Byrne Dairy, water is being transported from a Syracuse hydrant to meet their needs in DeWitt.
Local government officials also addressed the implications of the water shortage for holiday gatherings. Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon reassured the public that they should not feel compelled to change their festive plans but encouraged mindful water use in household activities. Drinking water has the least effect on overall consumption.
Guidance for Local Restaurants
Restaurants remain operational but must follow the same health and safety protocols. Officials suggest that establishments consider utilizing paper plates temporarily and limit their initial service of water to only when requested by diners. This practice could contribute to the overall conservation efforts.
Despite the efforts, repairs to the main water line may exceed the initially estimated two-week timeline. To keep residents informed, McMahon and Brown have conducted daily live-streamed updates, although they do not plan to provide one on Christmas Day.
As the community navigates this challenging situation, residents are encouraged to share any unique water conservation initiatives they may observe. Tips can be sent to the designated email for further engagement and support.
