Spring is here and we’re all excited about experiencing some much needed sunshine and warmth.  While we all enjoy these nice days, we also know that during March and April (and even May) we can experience significant rainfall, and even occasional snow or sleet.

OCWA–Central New York’s Water Authority–repaired numerous water main breaks and addressed other water system issues throughout the past winter.  These activities disrupted the affected ground surfaces, driveways, and roads.  We complete rough restoration work, to include filling excavations back to the previous levels, during the late fall and winter months.  Grass and gravel areas are filled with available soil and crushed stone that our crews bring with them.  Asphalt driving areas are topped off with “cold patch” asphalt.  The cold patch is a temporary material that we can get in the winter time.  We level off the surfaces as best we can, but its tough in the cold and snow. 

Don’t worry, we come back in the spring to fix these areas.  But we have to wait until we get through the cold, wet times of the spring to make sure the restorations take hold.  Asphalt plants don’t start operating until there is sustained warmth and our topsoil suppliers have to wait for some dry weather to produce the topsoil (topsoil isn’t just excavated, its screened to remove debris and stones and mixed with sand and organic material to make a smooth uniform material that will grow grass).  Our crews remove the temporary cold patch, cut back any jagged edges and install two layers of new asphalt. 

Roadside trench filled with top layer of soil at end of the day

Usually we can get started patching roads and driveways and replacing topsoil and seeding in late April or early May.  Sometimes it’s a little later if the weather doesn’t cooperate, or earlier if we have an usually mild winter.

We request that customers awaiting restoration be patient–we are coming!  Even after we start working on the spring cleanup, it is still going to take us several months to catch up on all the affected area.  Thank you for your understanding.