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Board discusses Syracuse-linked water pressure problems; schedules public hearing on discontinuance-of-service code changes
Summary
Board members described low water pressure in parts of town linked to supply constraints from the City of Syracuse and Aqua; staff said they are pursuing short- and medium-term fixes, and the board set a public hearing for April 14 on proposed code changes to allow discontinuance of service for unresponsive water-meter replacements.
Board members and water staff described ongoing low-pressure episodes in parts of DeWitt caused primarily by supply limitations in Syracuse’s water system and intermittent feed availability to town distribution points. Rocco (identified in the meeting as a water staff member) said feeds to the affected area had been shut off during a recent Syracuse system issue and that the town had to run older pump stations continuously to keep pressure, a stopgap measure the town said is unsustainable.
The board discussed medium-term engineering options including a potential tie into Aqua/Onondaga County transmission mains, directional drilling under major roadways to connect new mains, and the possibility of a local storage/tank site on property near Lemoyne to create a looped system and improve pressure. Board members and staff cautioned that any major added supplies or tower/tank would require significant capital investment and permitting and may be constrained by county and regional supply priorities.
The board also discussed a proposed local law to allow discontinuance of water service for customers who do not cooperate with the town’s water‑meter replacement program. Town staff said the draft law borrows language used by Aqua and would give the town a lawful mechanism to discontinue service for unresponsive customers if meter replacement is not completed.
The board voted to schedule a public hearing on the proposed discontinuance-of-service code changes for the April 14 meeting; the motion carried by voice vote.
Ending: Staff will post and advertise the public hearing for April 14 and continue to work with Onondaga County Water Authority, Aqua and other partners on potential supply and system improvements; the board asked staff to prepare a plain-language public update about current pressure issues for the town website.
