December 24, 2022 — 12:56 p.m.
Boil Water Notice Lifted, Water Safe to Drink in All
Areas of the City
The boil water notice that had been in effect for large parts of Rochester as a result of a water main break on Favor Street near West Main and Ford Streets has been lifted and tap water is now safe to drink in all parts of the city. Learn more>>
December 23, 2022 — 6:30 p.m.
City R-Centers Closed Friday, Gantt Center Converted to
Warming Center
City State of Emergency Winter-Storm Response Moving
Forward in Coordination with Monroe County
With the exception of the David F. Gantt R-Center, all remaining City R-Centers are closed today due to the impending snow storm. The Gantt R-Center has been converted to a Warming Center until 9 p.m. tonight; and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 24. City residents who require overnight shelter will be transported to Monroe County emergency shelters.
Residents can use the Gantt Center as a place to stay warm, charge their telephones and other electronic devices and receive food. The Department of Recreation and Youth Service staff, including members of the Persons in Crisis Team, are on site during the warming center hours to support residents.
Many non-uniform City facilities including City Hall are also closed today.
The Department of Environmental Services commenced salting and plowing operations of main city arterials early Friday and will plow arterials as snow accumulates. A residential plow run will begin when accumulations reach 3 inches; and sidewalk plowing will begin if accumulations reach 4 inches.
Motorists are reminded to observe alternate side parking regulations as vehicles parked on the wrong side of a street can interfere with plowing operations. Residents are also reminded to retrieve refuse and recycling containers from their curbs to minimize damage caused by high winds.
Mayor Malik Evans has declared a State of Emergency in Rochester in response to the winter storm and the boil-water notice associated with the catastrophic water-main break near West Main and Ford Streets. The Boil-water notice remains in effect for a large portion of the city, primarily on the west side. The City is also working closely with RG&E to ensure residents within the boil-water notice area receive priority service in the event of a power outage.
County Executive Adam Bello has also declared a countywide State of Emergency and City residents who require assistance are also encouraged to take advantage of County-provided services. County employees, for instance, are providing assistance to residents who request overnight shelter due to the storm.
The National Weather Service has issued a Storm Warning for Rochester and Monroe County until 7 p.m. Sunday.
For the latest updates on the City’s winter-storm response, including a link to the boil-water notice, the City’s PlowTrax snowplow monitoring application and the Monroe County emergency response page, visit this web page.
December 23, 2022 — 9:30 a.m.
City Hall, Other Facilities Closed Friday due to Winter
Storm
Due to the impending snow storm, many non-uniform City
facilities including City Hall will be closed today.
City R-Centers will plan to open from 9 to 6 p.m. today to
provide grab-and-go meals to children and families in partnership with
Foodlink. Refuse and recycling collection also remains on schedule today and
the 311 Call Center is open.
The Animal Shelter is closed. Neighborhood Service Centers
are closed but responding to telephone calls. City branch libraries are closed
as previously scheduled for the Christmas holiday.
ROC City Compost drop-off locations at Cobbs Hill and Genesee Valley Park will be closed Saturday.
December 22, 2022
City of Rochester Declares State of Emergency in Response
to Water Main Break and Impending Inclement Weather
Mayor Malik D. Evans today
announced he has issued a state of emergency in response to last night’s
catastrophic water main break, the resulting boil water advisory, and the
impending winter storm. The state of emergency provides the Mayor the ability
to issue specific emergency orders enabling the City to take actions like the
establishment or designation of emergency shelters and other actions calculated
to protect life and property.
Water service has been restored to
all customers, and road closures have been significantly minimized. City crews
continue to address the water main break and the road damage it caused. Road
closures on and around Favor Street may change in the coming days based on
repair activities. Ford Street has reopened to traffic. The City is also
addressing secondary, minor water main breaks on Denise Road in Charlotte.
State and County health officials have issued a boil water
notice for those within the affected area noted on the map (below).
Those affected should bring tap water to a rolling boil, boil for one minute,
and cool before using, or use bottled water certified for sale by the New York
State Department of Health. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking,
making ice, washing dishes, brushing teeth, and preparing food until further
notice.
The boil water advisory is
anticipated to be in effect until at least the evening of Saturday, Dec. 24.
The advisory will be lifted when multiple tests confirm normal water quality
has been attained.
City R-Centers plan to open early on Thursday and Friday,
pending any larger-scale, weather-related restrictions. Currently, R-Centers
are scheduled to open Thursday, Dec. 22 at 12 p.m. and Friday, Dec. 23 from 9
a.m. to 6 p.m. The City has partnered with Foodlink to provide grab-and-go
lunches at all City R-Centers on those days.
City residents and business owners with questions about
R-Center hours or the boil water advisory, or issues with their water supply
should call 311.
Boil Water Advisory Map (click on the map to open as PDF for zoom function):
Boil Water Advisory Boundaries:
- Genesee River to Flint Street
- Flint Street to Genesee Street
- Genesee Street to Arnett Boulevard
- Arnett Boulevard to Westfield Street
- Westfield Street to Chili Avenue
- Chili Avenue to Lee Road
- Lee Road to NYS Route 104
- NYS Route 104 to Genesee River
- Genesee River to Inner Loop
- Inner Loop to University Avenue
- University Avenue to North/South Goodman Street
- South Goodman Street to Linden Street
- Linden Street to Mount Hope Avenue
- Mount Hope Avenue to McLean Street
- McLean Street to Genesee River
Full press conference video
December 21, 2022
Boil Water Advisory Issued After Water Main Break
The City of Rochester, in coordination with Monroe County
and New York State Departments of Health, is issuing a boil water advisory
following a water main break that occurred at 4:50 p.m. Wednesday on Favor
St.
The break impacted water pressure in the water main, which
increases the chance that untreated water and harmful microbes can enter the
water supply.
Health officials advise those affected to bring tap water to
a rolling boil, boil for one minute, and cool before using, or to use bottled
water certified for sale by the New York State Department of Health.
Boiled or
bottled water should be used for:
- Drinking
- Making ice
- Washing dishes
- Brushing
teeth
- Preparing food until further notice
It is likely that the boil water advisory will be in effect
at least through Saturday, Dec. 24. The advisory will be lifted when tests
confirm any danger has passed.
See map and list below for the geographic reach of the advisory.
The extensive break of the 36-inch water main, which was
originally installed in 1899, was losing more than 35,000 gallons of water per
minute at its peak and caused significant flooding in the area.
Ford Street remains shut down to all traffic, from W. Main
Street to Atkinson Street, and will remain closed for an extended period of
time as emergency crews work to repair the break, and water drains from the
site. Officers request that all traffic please avoid this area for the
remainder of the night. Updates will be provided in the morning.
City crews continue to work to repair the break. Street
repairs will be required as well. The City will provide updates as the
situation progresses.
According to the CDC, boil water advisories usually include this advice:
- Use bottled or boiled water for drinking, and to prepare and cook food.
- If bottled water is not available, bring water to a full rolling boil for 1 minute (at elevations above 6,500 feet, boil for 3 minutes). After boiling, allow the water to cool before use.
- Boil tap water even if it is filtered (for example, by a home water filter or a pitcher that filters water).
- Do not use water from any appliance connected to your water line, such as ice and water from a refrigerator.
- Breastfeeding is the best infant feeding option. If you formula feed your child, provide ready-to-use formula, if possible.
Handwashing
- In many cases, you can use tap water and soap to wash hands during a boil water advisory. Follow the guidance from your local public health officials.
- Be sure to scrub your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Then, rinse them well under running water.
- If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Bathing and showering
- Be careful not to swallow any water when bathing or showering.
- Use caution when bathing babies and young children. Consider giving them a sponge bath to reduce the chance of them swallowing water.
Brushing teeth
- Brush teeth with boiled or bottled water. Do not use tap water that you have not boiled first.
Washing dishes
- If possible, use disposable plates, cups, and utensils during a boil water advisory.
- Household dishwashers generally are safe to use if:
- The water reaches a final rinse temperature of at least 150 degrees Fahrenheit (66°Celsius), or
- The dishwater has a sanitizing cycle.
- Sanitize all baby bottles.
- To wash dishes by hand:
- Wash and rinse the dishes as you normally would using hot water.
- In a separate basin, add 1 teaspoon of unscented household liquid bleach for each gallon of warm water.
- Soak the rinsed dishes in the water for at least one minute.
- Let the dishes air dry completely before using again.
Laundry
- It is safe to wash clothes as usual.
Cleaning
- Clean washable toys and surfaces with:
- Bottled water,
- Boiled water, or
- Water that has been disinfected with bleach
Caring for pets
- Pets can get sick from some of the same germs as people or spread germs to people. Give pets bottled water or boiled water that has cooled.
- If bottled water is not available, bring water to a full rolling boil for 1 minute (at elevations above 6,500 feet, boil for 3 minutes). After boiling, allow the water to cool before use.
- Boil tap water even if it is filtered (for example, by a home water filter or a pitcher that filters water).
- Do not use water from any appliance connected to your water line, such as ice and water from a refrigerator.
Caring for your garden and houseplants
- You can use tap water for household plants and gardens.
Check back on this page for updates.