CICERO, N.Y. — Onondaga County officials said people in eastern Onondaga County and western Madison County can expect to conserve their water at least through mid-January… Incoming heavy snow could play a part in that.

Onondaga County Water Authority Executive Director Jeff Brown said crews will be fixing the water system in Cicero “24/7” until repairs are complete. A pile-driver from the Midwest arrived at the site by Monday. That piece of equipment is crucial to dewatering the site as crews work.

However, officials warned that the expected heavy snowfall over many parts of Central New York could slow progress on repairs. Brown said that already, heavy rainfall over the weekend made more water for crews to pump out of the area.

“We’re going to lose a little ground if this weather is what it is over the next day or two. There’s no way if winds are 50 to60 miles per hour and where this is that likely could happen,” said Brown. “I think the weather isn’t cooperating. Also, with what’s about to happen, we could lose a little bit of time, too.”

He said the pipe itself can be repaired as soon as the area is free of water, but around foot of snow is expected to fall over the area.

The good news is that Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon said the community’s efforts to conserve water are continuing to work to help stabilize the east reservoir. The towns of Manlius, Pompey, DeWitt, Sullivan, Lenox and Lincoln have been under the conserve water mandate for a week now.

“We did not lose any ground related to water over the weekend,” said McMahon. “We’re in a much better position to have water in the reserves to meet the task of getting us through the repairs.”

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On Dec. 26, Brown revealed that a few leaks were spotted and repaired ahead of the shutdown. He said those repairs caused a significant drop in water pressure and forced the OCWA to shut the system down.

“I would say in hindsight, 50/50, we probably should have left the initial repair there and left it as is,” Brown admitted on Dec. 26. “When we see leaks, we attack them, but it turned out as we got further and further into it, the groundwater, we had to go a little bit deeper. When this was put in, there was never any indication that groundwater would be an issue, but we obviously found there was a groundwater issue.”

The Fayetteville-Manlius High School has been chosen as a spot to distribute water just in case it’s needed. McMahon said that as of Dec. 26, an emergency distribution is not necessary.

Water conservation tips from the OWCA:

  • Using laundry facilities in unaffected parts of the OCWA system (western and northern Onondaga County).
  • Adjust all water-using appliances to use the minimum amount of water.
  • Running the dishwasher and washing machine at full load. If you wash dishes by hand, use a bucket or container with soapy water and only use the faucet for quick rinsing of scrubbed dishes.
  • Taking 5-minute showers and shallower baths. Turn off the shower while soaping; turn off the faucet while brushing teeth, etc.
  • Reducing the number of toilet flushes per day. Each flush uses about 5 to 7 gallons.
  • Use sink and tub stoppers to avoid wasting water.
  • Keeping a bottle of chilled drinking water in the refrigerator instead of running the water till it gets cold.
  • Eliminating the use of water for ornamental purposes, including but not limited to fountains, artificial waterfalls and reflecting pools.
  • Reusing water when possible.
  • Commercial Customers: Limiting non-essential work practices that involve water usage and utilizing additional water conservation measures such as having employees work from home.
  • Car Washes: Pausing all wash services until mandatory conservation is lifted and full water service is restored.