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The Onondaga County Water Authority (OCWA) will begin inspecting water service lines at about 1,200 customer properties across its five-county service area starting Saturday (April 6) and continuing through June. The inspections are part of a federal regulatory requirement to confirm the materials used in underground water service lines, as reported by CNY Central.
OCWA serves more than 106,000 residents in Onondaga, Madison, Oneida, Oswego, and Cayuga counties. About one percent of customers have been randomly selected for inspection. According to OCWA, selected homeowners will be notified days in advance, and crews will use a safe, non-destructive digging method called vacuum excavation to expose and identify the material of water lines.
During the process, OCWA contractors—Arcadis and T&K Harrington—may mark water lines with blue paint near curb boxes. Homeowners do not need to be present during the inspection, and water service will not be interrupted. Results will be left at the property the same day, and any disturbed ground or pavement will be restored within about two weeks.
OCWA plans to complete around 100 inspections per week over the next few months. Customers with questions about the investigation can contact OCWA at 315-455-7061, extension 3139, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The inspections will help OCWA comply with federal regulations and provide up-to-date information about the community’s water infrastructure. The effort is expected to conclude by the end of June.