Syracuse readies drought limits, accelerates water‑meter project with grant push

Syracuse city staff told the council on March 24 that a dry winter and low reservoir levels make water restrictions likely this summer and urged the city to prepare a conservation resolution and enforcement plan.

Utilities director Robert (staff member) said Echo Reservoir was about 62% full as of early March and that supplier Weber Basin is considering drought reductions that could range from a best‑case 20% outdoor cut to a worst‑case 40% outdoor cut plus a 10% reduction in culinary water. “If we get different dates or different reductions from our suppliers, it becomes very awkward to manage,” Robert said, urging the council to endorse the quadrant watering system used during prior drought years and to authorize staff to return with a draft resolution for the business meeting.

The proposal would keep the familiar city schedule (no‑watering Sundays, alternate days by quadrant and season) and rely on enforcement bolstered by increasing secondary‑water metering coverage, staff said. “Enforcement is needed if we go with that,” Robert added, noting past years when active enforcement produced compliance.

Separately, public works staff outlined an accelerated plan to complete a state‑mandated metering and billing program years ahead of the 2030 statutory deadline by using about $11.5 million in expiring grant funds plus local bonds. Steve (staff member) said crews have converted roughly 88% of connections and that the remaining ~2,500 backyard services are the most costly and time‑consuming to convert. He described two technical options: leaving meters/radios in backyards (undesirable), or installing a temporary loop from backyard to front yard meter pits now and relocating service later when funds allow. The estimated per‑connection cost to run a front‑yard loop is $2,500–$3,000, and completing the remaining conversions could require roughly $2.5 million.

Council and staff also discussed spending grant dollars to stand up the city’s own radio towers and a customer portal to provide near‑real‑time data to residents and utility clerks. Staff said faster, local access to meter data improves leak detection, helps customers manage consumption and budgets, and reduces call‑center labor by enabling immediate troubleshooting. The portal would also support the eventual transition to usage‑based billing required by state law.

Mayor/Chair and councilmembers gave staff direction to apply for additional grant funds and to return with implementation options and a resolution for water restrictions. The council did not take a final vote at the work session; staff will bring formal proposals and draft resolution language to the next business meeting.