As crews work to stabilize the water system in Manlius, residents are adjusting to a conservation mandate that has quickly altered their daily routines.
Nicolas Sawicky, emphasized the need for patience and trust, saying, “Just kind of got to trust in humanity, being good humans to each other.”
Frank Squadrito, who has lived in Manlius for 50 years, expressed surprise at the impact of the water break.
BACKGROUND | Weekend risk for running out of water remains but officials see some progress
“I was surprised that it would have such an effect. We’ve lived in Manlius 50 years and I don’t remember a main break where we’d have to conserve,” he said.
Squadrito stressed the importance of conservation. He said, “If everybody had that attitude, we’d be running out of water for Christmas, right?”
Local businesses are also feeling the strain. Avery Burke, owner of Pavone’s in Manlius, noted the challenges of conserving water in a commercial kitchen.
“From a business perspective, it’s a little bit different than home usage; there are things that we absolutely need the water for to be open and provide the service to the community that we do,” he said. Despite the difficulties, Burke assured that his staff is doing everything possible to reduce usage while adhering to health regulations.
At Holland Farms Bakery and Deli, manager Charlie Potrzeba described their efforts to adapt.
“We’ve been trying to fill up on water in the morning and just try to skim it down throughout the day in hopes that we won’t run out,” he said. Potrzeba acknowledged the challenges but affirmed their commitment to staying open.
Car washes in the affected area have voluntarily ceased operations to conserve water, with the Onondaga County Water Authority ready to enforce shutdowns if necessary. The community continues to navigate the uncertainty of repairs, hoping for a swift resolution.