Limited Water Use Advisory 

Wednesday, October 15 through Friday, October 31, 2025

Summary

New York State has experienced abnormally dry conditions this summer, and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) issued a Drought Watch for our region in early September as dry weather persisted. Cornell’s Water Filtration Plant has been able to meet the campus demand for potable water but concerns of diminishing water flow in Fall Creek and continued dry weather have initiated the need for planning and early action. A drought incident management team (IMT) has been established to identify water conservation strategies, action points, and campus community outreach needs.

Current Situation, Objectives, and Strategies

Reduction in potable water supply to the Cornell Ithaca campus has the potential to disrupt daily operations and research. Previous 2016 drought incident operations have been reviewed, and an incident response organizational structure has been established for 2025. Efforts are currently focused on strategies to maintain the campus potable water supply and to decrease the demand for campus potable water. Informational resources are being developed to assist in water reduction planning and decision making, and to support behavior change and outreach activities.

Cornell FCS Utilities may issue a “limited water use advisory” to campus for the remainder of October. The intention of a limited water use advisory is to encourage conservation of potable water while minimizing any operational and research disruptions. The advisory email would be distributed through the FCS Special Conditions email list as well as directly to Facilities representatives. This first step towards water conservation would include reduction of the following:

• Watering lawns, landscapes, and vegetation except with non-potable water
• Power washing, cleaning or otherwise using potable water to clean driveways, sidewalks, building surfaces and asphalt
• Washing vehicles with potable water unless required for safety or compliance
• Recreational water uses such as sprinklers, games or camp activities involving use of potable water

Additionally, a limited water use advisory would ask campus community members to report water leaks, running toilets, dripping faucets, or other water issues to a building coordinator for repair.

It is important to note that Cornell’s water use permit allows for increased withdrawal from Fall Creek starting November 1.

Notable Events

• NYS DEC issues Drought Watch for Tompkins County (9/10)
• NYS issues statewide burn ban (10/2)
• US Drought Monitor indicates Ithaca region as “moderate drought” conditions (10/9)
• Cornell Limited Water Use Advisory may be issued (10/15 - 10/31)

Additional Actions

The weather forecast for the remainder of October continues to show warm temperatures and below average precipitation. Office of Emergency Management (OEM)  will monitor to provide weather reports, and the Drought IMT is preparing additional water reduction strategies if dry conditions persist beyond October. OEM will provide regular updates via email situation reports for ILT and ESF representatives. Energy and Sustainability is developing a website to share drought information and water conservation strategies.

Links and Resources

• NYS DEC Drought Conditions Map
• US Drought Monitor Map
• USGS Fall Creek Water Flow Monitoring
• NYS Burn Ban 

Burn Ban

Due to ongoing drought and high fire risk conditions, New York state has issued a temporary statewide burn ban until Wednesday, Oct. 15. During this ban, avoid open, uncontained fires and conserve water. Open burning is strictly regulated on campus and requires prior approval and a permit from the University Fire Marshal. Unauthorized fires are prohibited at all times.

You can take action against the drought. If everyone at Cornell University reduced their water use by just one gallon a day, we could save more than 1.5 million gallons a month. Every drop counts! The following are additional important ways you can reduce and conserve water both on campus and at home:

• Report any water leakages such as a running toilet, leaking faucet, or other issues with water waste you see on campus.
  • For issues in your building, contact your Building Manager.
  • For issues on campus, report issues here or call FCS Customer Service using the contact information below.
• Reduce energy, reduce water use. A lot of water is used in the Cornell Combined Heat & Power Plant to provide energy to the campus. See side bar for tips on reducing energy across campus. 

DROUGHT LEVELS
Cornell is currently at Stage 1: Water Use Advisory. The IMT will work closely with City and County partners to monitor the regional drought levels and escalate or deescalate the drought response level as necessary.

Stage 1: Water Use Advisory: Water limitations strongly encouraged, some operational cut-backs identified
Stage 2: Water Use Restriction: Water limitations required across campus, further operational cut-backs implemented
Stage 3: Severe Water Restriction: Significant water limitations required, advanced operational cut-backs implemented

CONTACT

To report water concerns, submit a maintenance request
For additional assistance, call FCS Customer Service: 607-255-5322