Utility Disruptions

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Water Supply Disruptions

A dripping faucet.

Since water is essential for survival, it's important to know what to do in the event of a water supply emergency. Water main breaks, drought, and water contamination can affect both water quality and use in New York City.

Water Main Breaks

Water main breaks may temporarily halt water supply to households and businesses in the surrounding areas. Breaks can also result in property damage, street and sidewalk closures, and traffic and business disruptions.

Temperature change causes most water main breaks. A 10-degree change in air or water temperature can cause pipes to contract or expand, making them fragile. When water or ground temperatures dip near the freezing point, it creates tremendous stress inside and outside the pipe. Additionally, some water pipes installed before World War II are made of cast iron — a brittle material susceptible to breakage.

If you see water coming up from the ground or roadway, or suspect a water main break, call 311 (212-639-9675 or Video Relay Service, or TTY: 212-504-4115) or contact 311 online. Be prepared to provide:
  • A description of the condition.
  • What is being affected (street, cellar, basement, subways, etc.).
  • The exact location of the problem.
  • Your name, address and telephone number.
You may also contact DEP via 311 if you lose water service, experience low water pressure or your home is flooded due to a water main break.

If water is causing a dangerous condition, such as street or sidewalk collapse or severe indoor or outdoor flooding, call 911.

If your service line, pipes or water meters freeze:

  • Open a faucet near the frozen point to release vapor from melting ice.
  • Direct a hair dryer or heat lamp at the frozen section, or put a small space heater nearby.
  • NEVER thaw a frozen pipe or meter with an open flame; this could lead to fire or cause a steam explosion.
  • If your meter is damaged or your pipes burst, call 311.
  • If you own a small business and your business facility sustains damage due to a water main break, contact the Department of Small Business Services to see what type of assistance may be available to you.

Drought

Urban droughts generally affect areas dependent on reservoirs for water, such as New York City. Droughts usually lead to restrictions on water use, such as bans on lawn watering and car washing. A Drought Emergency is declared when there is a reasonable probability that continued dry periods could cause reservoirs to be severely strained.

Know the Terms

  • Drought Watch: Declared when there is less than a 50 percent chance that either of the two largest reservoir systems, the Delaware or the Catskill, will fill by June 1 — the start of the water year.
  • Drought Warning: Declared when there is less than a 33 percent probability that either the Catskill or Delaware Systems will fill by June 1.
  • Drought Emergency: Declared when there is a reasonable probability that, without the implementation of stringent measures to reduce consumption, a protracted dry period would cause the City's reservoirs to be drained.
If there is a drought, authorities will advise you to conserve water. Please restrict your water use as much as possible. If the drought worsens, mandatory drought restrictions can be imposed. Conservation measures can slow the depletion rate of the stored waters and potentially postpone or eliminate the threat of serious water shortages.

Water Conservation Tips

  • Don't open fire hydrants. Report open fire hydrants and street leaks to DEP by calling 311 (212-639-9675 for Video Relay Service, or TTY: 212-504-4115) or by contacting 311 online.
  • Take shorter showers or fill the tub only halfway and save water.
  • Don't run the tap while shaving, washing your hands or brushing your teeth.
  • Fix leaks. Leaky faucets alone can waste 15 to 20 gallons each day.
  • Run the dishwasher and washing machine only when full, o r use short cycles if available.
  • Don't use the toilet as a wastebasket. Each unnecessary flush can waste two to five gallons.
  • Install water-saving fixtures including showerheads and faucet aerators.
  • Sweep driveways and sidewalks clean rather than washing them down with a hose.
    For more water-saving tips, see DEP's Dos and Don'ts of Water Conservation and NYC Water Use Restrictions.

    Water Contamination

    Water supply contamination has not been a significant hazard in New York City in the last century, but it's important to know what to do in the event the City's water supply becomes contaminated.

    If authorities determine that there is a concern about drinking water quality, you will be advised of what actions to take. In some cases, you may be told not to use water for cooking for drinking purposes unless it is boiled, treated with bleach or disinfected by other means. In an extreme case, you may be told not to use the water for cooking, drinking, hand-washing, or bathing purposes.

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