Sources of water

The water that OCWA delivers meets or exceeds all government environmental standards. Customers of the Onondaga County Water Authority receive water that originates from Otisco Lake, Lake Ontario, or Skaneateles Lake. Customers located in certain areas may get a mixture of these waters or their source water may vary with changes in seasonal demand. For 2007, OCWA supplied approximately 40.368 million gallons per day to its 340,000 residential customers located in suburban Onondaga County and parts of Madison, Oneida, and Oswego counties. OCWA also supplies water to eight other Central New York town water systems and thirty large industrial customers.

OCWA treats and delivers water from Otisco Lake; the easternmost and smallest of the Finger Lakes. In 2007, approximately 16.722 million gallons per day or 41.2% of OCWA's water came from Otisco Lake. The customers receiving water originating from Otisco Lake are mostly located in the southern and western half of Onondaga County.

OCWA buys water wholesale from the Metropolitan Water Board at a number of different supply connections. MWB treats water originating from Lake Ontario near the City of Oswego. In 2007, approximately 23.305 million gallons per day or 57.4% of OCWA's water came from Lake Ontario. The customers receiving water originating from Lake Ontario are mostly located in the northern and eastern half of Onondaga County. OCWA customers in Madison, Oneida, and Oswego counties receive all their water from Lake Ontario.

The City of Syracuse Water Department has the responsibility of treating and delivering water originating from Skaneateles Lake. In 2007, approximately 0.562 million gallons per day or 1.4% of OCWA`s water came from Skaneateles Lake water purchased from the City of Syracuse Water Department through various supply connections. OCWA uses this water to supplement areas close to the city boundary when needed. OCWA customers living in Nedrow, Southwood, and the area west of the Village of Camillus, get water from Skaneateles Lake exclusively.

Protecting water supplies

The first step in water treatment is to protect the source. OCWA and the City of Syracuse have been conducting ongoing watershed inspection, monitoring, and educational programs for a number of years. These programs are in conjunction with the State and Onondaga County Departments of Health. OCWA, MWB, and the City of Syracuse all monitor lake conditions on regular intervals prior to treatment. The New York State Department of Health has recently completed a Source Water Assessment Program (SWAP) in order to better recognize potential sources of contaminants in every water source used throughout the State. Click here for the SWAP assessment for OCWA.

 

Click here for the water service area map.

 

More information: or 315-455-7061 After hours & weekend emergency answering service 315-475-7601