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Repairs on a broken transmission line in Onondaga County are set to begin today (December 29). The Onondaga County Water Authority (OCWA) has mobilized crews from as far as Texas to address the issue that has disrupted water supply to several towns. The affected areas include Manlius, DeWitt, Pompey, Sullivan, Lenox, and Lincoln.
While the water supply remains stable for now, residents are urged to conserve water to maintain balance. According to Syracuse.com, the repairs involve replacing 134 feet of pipe and are expected to last into early January. Jeff Brown, executive director of OCWA, mentioned that the repair costs will run into millions, but the agency has sufficient funds to cover it without borrowing.
OCWA has implemented mandatory water conservation measures, urging residents to limit water use to essential needs only. The OCWA website outlines specific conservation tips, such as taking shorter showers, running dishwashers only when full, and reducing toilet flushes.
Schools in the affected areas are set to reopen on January 5 after the holiday break, with no current plans for closures. However, officials are prepared to adjust plans if necessary. Temporary measures, including additional water supplies from neighboring cities and temporary pumps, have been put in place to ensure continued water flow during the repair period.