12/24/2025
REMINDER: Due to a major break in a large transmission main, OCWA – Central New York’s Water Authority has moved to mandatory water conservation for customers in the following municipalities to reduce water usage:
• Town of Manlius (including the Villages of Minoa, Fayetteville, and Manlius)
• Town of Pompey
• Town of DeWitt (including the Village of East Syracuse and customers served by the DeWitt Water system)
• Town of Sullivan (including the Village of Chittenango)
• Town of Lenox (including the Village of Canastota)
• Town of Lincoln
We appreciate the assistance of customers who have practiced conservation efforts but we still need your help!
In an effort to meet the demand for all water customers during the repair period, it is crucial for OCWA customers in the above areas to keep their water use to essential needs only. This includes:
• Using laundry facilities in unaffected parts of the OCWA system (western and northern Onondaga County).
• Adjusting 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.
• Using 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 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.
For more information and updates, visit https://www.ocwa.org/.
