Residents in Sandusky and across Erie County are being asked to continue reducing non-essential water use to help extend the available supply.

SANDUSKY, Ohio — Crews from several different agencies in Sandusky are working to break through heavy ice and restore water flow to the Big Island Water Works plant amid a warning from officials that stored supplies could be exhausted if intake operations are not restored.

According to a release from the city that was posted at noon Tuesday on Facebook, workers from Sandusky’s water, sewer and fire departments have spent the last 12 hours attempting to clear ice blocking intake pipes that supply raw water to the plant. 

Because of the “current critical conditions,” the city of Sandusky is not taking in new raw water and is relying entirely on water already stored at the facility.

Water use restrictions remain in effect, and residents in Sandusky and across Erie County are being asked to continue reducing non-essential water use to help extend the available supply.

“While crews are hopeful that conditions will improve, it is possible that the plant’s stored water supply could be exhausted before intake flow is restored,” Sandusky city leaders wrote in the Facebook post. “If that occurs, the City will immediately communicate next steps and any additional actions residents may need to take.”

In the meantime, officials emphasize that there is no issue with water quality and that the water currently available remains safe to drink.

Sandusky city officials first posted about the water issues at 11:40 p.m. on Monday night. You can read the initial message below:

The City of Sandusky is asking residents in Sandusky and Erie County to temporarily reduce water use due to current conditions affecting water intake operations.

The City’s water system primarily draws water from Lake Erie through an intake located off the Cedar Point Chaussee. The City also has a backup intake in Sandusky Bay. Heavy ice and current wind conditions are restricting the amount of water reaching the Big Island Water Works plant.

To help manage demand while crews work to restore normal water flow, residents are asked to curtail non-essential water use until further notice. 

City staff are actively working to address the issue and bring the system back to normal operations. Water remains safe to drink.

You can follow updates from the city of Sandusky by clicking here.

WTOL’s Troy Gingerich contributed to this story