The 27,000 residents affected by the water main break in Onondaga and Madison Counties can likely ease their conservation efforts starting early next week. Onondaga County Water Authority Director Jeff Brown said they’re putting the final sections of the pipe in place.
“We anticipate the repair being complete late Friday or early Saturday," he said. "We need to reload the main gradually and steadily at a pace that's going to take roughly 12 to 24 hours. We will perform at that point multiple water quality tests, after which we plan to lift mandatory conservation. We estimate that to be on Monday.”
Brown said at that point, conservation will be voluntary. But he adds it’s still important to continue limiting water use until the reservoir is back to normal levels, which he expects by mid-week. County Executive Ryan McMahon said the same applies to commercial water users.
“Moving from mandatory conservation to voluntary conservation, strategic large users that have been asked not to operate at full operation," he said. "Car washes will go to limited operation until essentially that reservoir can get up and running and the infrastructure is being used.”
Limited operation means shorter business hours.
Brown said the biggest challenge has been the weather, though the impact has been relatively minor. Over the past three weeks, crews have endured heavy snow, heavy rain, high winds, and temperature swings. He said 50 to 60 people have been working on the repair, which is expected to cost millions. Brown said he doesn't yet have a specific price tag.
