Syracuse faces water crisis amid 45M gallon daily consumption spike

Syracuse is facing a critical water supply crisis as consumption levels have surged dramatically, leading to a significant depletion of reserves. During a recent Joint Public Works & Economic Development Committee meeting, officials revealed that water consumption in the city spiked by 45 million gallons per day starting January 19, 2025, and has remained at this elevated level. This abnormal usage has resulted in an estimated loss of 50 to 200 million gallons of treated water, which is equivalent to nearly 46 days of the city’s normal winter consumption of 36 million gallons per day.

Currently, Syracuse's water reserves have dwindled to approximately 40 million gallons, enough to meet just one day’s demand. This alarming situation raises concerns about the city’s ability to provide adequate water for essential services, including fire protection and healthcare facilities. The city typically maintains a reserve of 20 million gallons to address any emergencies, but the current levels are critically low.

Compounding the issue, the New York State Department of Health has issued warnings regarding the city’s filtration waiver, which allows Syracuse to operate its water system without a filtration facility, provided it does not exceed a certain number of violations. The city is on the brink of a final violation, and if another occurs within the next year, it could be mandated to construct a costly $200 million filtration facility.

The water department has been forced to shut down conduits at the lake due to turbidity spikes, which render the water undrinkable. This action reduces the city’s water supply by approximately 8 million gallons per day. If the city cannot identify the cause of the excessive consumption or locate potential leaks, it risks being unable to supply water to its residents, businesses, and hospitals.

The committee emphasized the urgency of addressing these issues to prevent a public health crisis and ensure the continued availability of clean water for the community. Immediate action and thorough investigation into the water consumption patterns are essential to safeguard Syracuse's water supply and avoid costly infrastructure mandates.