Ithaca City

Six Mile Creek serves as the primary water source for Ithaca residents. The municipal water is drawn from a 60-foot reservoir fed by the creek, flowing naturally through gravity to the treatment facility located at 202 Water Street. The watershed spans approximately 46.4 square miles of forested land.

The system provides water to most residents within Ithaca city limits and serves customers along Taughannock Boulevard. Oversight of the water utility is managed jointly by the Board of Public Works and Common Council. The Board meets on the third Tuesday monthly at 6 pm, while Common Council convenes on the first Wednesday at 6 pm. All meetings take place in Council Chambers on City Hall's third floor at 108 East Green Street. Visit the City's website or contact the Clerk's office for meeting schedules.

Water sources (both tap and bottled) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and groundwater. As water travels across land or underground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and sometimes radioactive materials. It can also pick up substances from animal presence or human activities. Potential contaminants include microorganisms, inorganic compounds, pesticides, herbicides, organic chemicals, and radioactive substances.

To ensure public safety, both state regulations and EPA guidelines establish limits on contaminant levels in public water systems. Similarly, the State Health Department and FDA set standards for bottled water to provide comparable public health protection.

Following state regulations, Ithaca's water system routinely monitors for numerous contaminants. Table 3 in the city's water report shows analytical results for detected contaminants compared against state guidelines and maximum contaminant levels (MCLs). Table 4 lists contaminants not detected in the water supply. Some substances are tested less frequently than annually since their concentrations typically remain stable over time.

1. How do I request new water service activation? For new water services, please contact Ithaca City Hall at (607) 272-1717 and ask for the water department.
2. How do I report a water main break? To report a water break, please contact the Water Maintenance Division at (607) 272-1717 between 7:00 am and 3:30 pm. After hours, please call the Police Department at (607) 272-3245.
3. Which portion of the water service line is my responsibility? The city maintains responsibility for the water service line from the meter pit to the water main. Property owners are responsible for the service line from the meter to their buildings.
4. What is a sewer service lateral and where does a customer's responsibility end? A sewer service lateral is the pipe carrying wastewater from your property to the main sewer line in the street or easement. Property owners are responsible for their entire service lateral up to and including the connection at the city main.
5. I detect sewer odors inside my home/building. What should I do? Check caps on floor drains and cleanouts to ensure proper installation. Verify water is present in drain traps. Run small amounts of water into rarely used drains. Check that cleanout plugs haven't been removed from floor drains. Inspect for cracked or separated vent pipes that might allow sewer gas inside. If odor persists, have a licensed plumber examine your entire drainage system.
6. Who should I call for a sewer backup or overflow? For sewer emergencies, please call (607) 272-1717. If no one answers, listen carefully to the recorded instructions for after-hours contact information.
7. Who is responsible for sewage that backed up into my home? The city does not make this determination directly. Our insurance provider evaluates whether a claim will be paid. The Water Services Division investigates and resolves sewer issues only within the public system.
8. Why are there colored flags in my yard? Typically, this indicates planned excavation work in your area. Contractors or utilities have requested "locates" to mark buried utility lines. The city will notify you before any major excavation on your property unless an emergency exists.
9. Why is there a manhole in my yard? When sewer systems are initially constructed, manhole covers remain exposed. During subsequent development, these access points sometimes become buried. Maintenance staff uncover these "lost" manholes and adjust them to grade for proper access, which benefits homeowners during sewer emergencies.
10. Can I landscape around a sewer manhole? The Water Services Division advises against placing any obstructions within a 3-foot radius of manholes. This benefits both property owners and city workers by ensuring quick access and preventing damage to landscaping.
11. Why can't I connect my sump pump, area drain, or foundation drains to the sanitary sewer? Both Ithaca City and the New York Department of Environmental Conservation prohibit stormwater discharges into the sanitary sewer system. These connections overload systems designed for wastewater only, causing backups, overflows, and increased treatment costs that directly impact your utility rates.