About Skaneateles Lake
Skaneateles Lake, which spans three counties and six municipalities, is known for its exceptionally clear, high-quality water. Skaneateles Lake is one of the only large-system surface water supplies approved by the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) to treat and utilize its water for drinking without needing a filtration plant.
Drinking water intake lines
Skaneateles Lake provides drinking water for more than 165,000 neighbors living in Syracuse, Skaneateles, Jordan, Elbridge, and DeWitt. There are two water intake lines that make this service possible.
Although both lines have been well-maintained throughout the years, one line sits at a shallower depth and needs to be extended to best serve those who rely on the water supply. At only 20 feet below the surface – where it currently sits – sustained southerly wind events disturb sediments at the bottom of the lake, resulting in higher turbidity, or lower water clarity.
Location and Impact to Drinking Water
The shallower line has had to shut down an average of 11 times each year in the last decade. If the line continues to sit at its current depth and turbidity issues are not remedied, the City of Syracuse may be required to build a new, costly filtration plant to serve residents.
To maintain the high-quality drinking water that Skaneateles Lake is known for, ensure reliability of delivery well into the future, and mitigate additional costs, the intake line needs to be extended to a greater depth.
Ongoing Monitoring
We have been evaluating the area over a number of years to determine the optimal depth and location for consistent high-quality water, factoring in construction costs, materials, and logistics to minimize the impact on Skaneateles Lake and the surrounding area.
The City of Syracuse conducted additional monitoring to confirm a location on the western shore of the lake that will provide improved water quality for the extension of this existing water intake line, and is preparing final designs. Concurrently, the City and its contractors are applying for permits related to site preparation, equipment staging, and materials and fusing of pipe for extending the shallow water intake line to a greater depth to help reduce turbidity events.
Impact to Residents
At every stage of the project, the water will remain safe to drink and this project will not disrupt the water supply for any homes or businesses. Once construction begins—anticipated in spring 2025—a small number of residents may see activity related to the delivery of supplies and staging.
The City has a conservation plan that preserves lake levels and the surrounding environment. Construction will be timed to minimize impacts on residents, visitors, and the ecosystem. Staging will take a few months as materials are gathered and brought to the site. There will likely be a period of time during the off-season when activity on the lake will be visible and may require boats to maneuver around the construction area. The City of Syracuse will proactively communicate with residents to make sure they are informed and understand safety precautions.
Timeline
The City of Syracuse and contractors are preparing final designs for the site location, with a goal of announcing a call for proposals for construction bids in fall 2024, and starting construction in spring 2025.
Project Support
The project is supported by the New York State Department of Health, Village of Skaneateles, Town of Skaneateles, Town of Elbridge, and Village of Jordan, among other state and local government leaders.
Financial support is generally available for water quality projects, and the City is pursuing grant funding for the project costs, which would mitigate the impact on consumers’ bills. The total cost of this intake extension project is $16 million. This is a fraction of the estimated costs to build and operate a filtration plant if the intake line remains at its current depth and turbidity issues are not addressed.