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Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon has announced that six communities in Central New York are at risk of running out of water due to a significant break in a 42-inch water pipe. The pipe, which carries water from Lake Ontario to reservoirs, suffered damage at the intersection of Taft Road and Northern Boulevard in Cicero. This break affects the towns of DeWitt, Manlius, Pompey, Sullivan, Lenox, and Lincoln.
The Onondaga County Water Authority (OCWA) is urging residents to conserve water as crews work on the complex repair, which could take up to a week. The break was caused by shifting soil exacerbated by excessive groundwater, according to Jeffrey Brown, OCWA's executive director. The affected area includes 27,000 customer accounts.
OCWA is closely monitoring water levels and using all available methods to maintain water flow and pressure, including rerouting water from other sources. Residents may experience reduced water flow and pressure during the repair period, but no customers have lost water yet.
To help conserve water, OCWA advises turning off taps while brushing teeth or shaving, limiting the use of dishwashers and washing machines, using water-saving settings on appliances, taking shorter showers, and reusing water when possible. The authority will provide updates through its website and social media channels as repairs continue.
For critical concerns, customers can contact OCWA’s after-hours emergency service at 315-475-7601, though there may be delays in reaching a representative. OCWA serves 340,000 residents across five counties: Onondaga, Oswego, Madison, Oneida, and Cayuga.