Key Takeaways
- Oneida, NY, provided emergency water assistance to nearby villages Canastota and Chittenango after a massive water main break threatened their water supply.
- The city of Oneida opened a 12-inch emergency valve, sending 800,000 gallons of water a day into the affected system.
- The extra water has been critical in keeping taps running in Chittenango and Canastota, with nearly 10,000 combined residents.
- Mandatory conservation efforts are in place for the six towns affected by the water shortage, and Oneida is also under a voluntary conservation effort.
Introduction to the Crisis
Oneida, NY, water Superintendent Andrew Campany received an urgent call on Saturday afternoon, requesting help for neighboring villages Canastota and Chittenango, which were at risk of running out of water due to a massive water main break. Campany promptly responded, and within hours, Oneida city water crews began preparations to provide emergency assistance. The city’s efforts have been instrumental in keeping the taps running in the affected villages, with nearly 10,000 combined residents.
The Emergency Response
To provide assistance, Oneida needed to open a 12-inch emergency valve along state Route 5, which connects to Onondaga County Water Authority (OCWA) pipes. This valve was built years ago for emergencies like this and has been used in the past by Oneida to get OCWA water during periods of drought. By Monday, the valve was open, and 800,000 gallons of water a day were flowing into the affected system. This emergency response has been critical in keeping the water supply stable in Chittenango and Canastota.
The Impact of Oneida’s Efforts
Oneida’s water has been essential in keeping the taps running in Chittenango and Canastota, officials said. The extra water was enough to fill Canastota’s storage tanks to capacity, which is why water was rerouted to Chittenango on Tuesday. Oneida’s efforts, along with similar help from the city of Syracuse water supply and conservation efforts, have led OCWA’s reservoirs to hold steady in the last day. OCWA Executive Director Jeffrey Brown praised Oneida’s efforts as "really, really instrumental" in keeping the eastern reaches of the water district from going dry.
Factors Contributing to Oneida’s Ability to Help
Several factors have contributed to Oneida’s ability to provide emergency assistance. Early snow melt left Oneida’s reservoir full, and people and businesses typically use less water during winter months. Some industries also scale back during the holiday season, which has helped reduce water usage. However, ongoing mandatory conservation efforts are still necessary for everyone in the six towns affected by the water shortage. Oneida is capped at providing 4 million gallons of water each day under its permit from the state Department of Environmental Conservation, and the city’s water superintendent, Andrew Campany, emphasized that there is no water to spare.
Challenges and Limitations
While Oneida’s efforts have been critical in keeping the taps running in Chittenango and Canastota, there are limitations to the city’s ability to provide assistance. Oneida cannot provide any more water, and it is unlikely that the city could reach Manlius, which is further away, due to pressure limitations. Additionally, chlorine levels in the water become weaker the further away from the treatment plant it goes, which is a concern for the safety of the water supply. Water samples are being monitored in Chittenango and Canastota to confirm that there is still enough chlorine in the water to keep it safe.
Conservation Efforts
Mandatory conservation efforts are in place for the six towns affected by the water shortage, and Oneida is also under a voluntary conservation effort. Campany urged city residents to use water for essential purposes only, emphasizing that it is "just the right thing to do." The city of Oneida is not affected by the water main break, but the voluntary conservation effort is still necessary to support the affected communities. By working together and reducing water usage, the affected towns can minimize the impact of the water shortage and ensure that the water supply remains stable.
