Year of Water

We use water every day, but we often don't think about it. This project sought to improve the understanding of our local water system and explore these questions:

  • Where does our water come from?
  • How and where is it cleaned so we can use it?
  • How does it get to our houses, schools, businesses, and restaurants?
  • Where does it go once it leaves?
  • What else does water do for our community and how can we protect it?

The Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility (IAWWTF) is located right next to the Ithaca Farmers Market. This facility can treat up to 13.1 million gallons of wastewater every day, collecting and treating used water from homes and businesses before sending it back into Cayuga Lake. 

The building pictured below is an access point for IAWWTF located within the Farmers Market.  This site focuses on the connections between community residents and our water system. The treatment facility serves a critical role in human and environmental health - which is itself a combination of human resources, engineering, chemistry, and biology - all working together!

The Podcast: Sound of Water

Sound of Water was born in the midst of COVID-19 and all of its production is, therefore, completely virtual. While this makes recording difficult, it allows us to bring in guest speakers from across the globe to discuss the complexities of our water systems. From engineers to policymakers, we search to connect people back to their water systems, asking each one "What is your fondest memory of water?". 

Our podcast features its very own music, written and performed by Bobby Mathis, a Tompkins County artist. Sound of Water is available for download here and through iTunes and Spotify.

Year of Water Mural

We use water every day, but we often don't think about it. This project sought to improve the understanding of our local water system and explore these questions:

  • Where does our water come from?
  • How and where is it cleaned so we can use it?
  • How does it get to our houses, schools, businesses, and restaurants?
  • Where does it go once it leaves?
  • What else does water do for our community and how can we protect it?

The Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility (IAWWTF) is located right next to the Ithaca Farmers Market. This facility can treat up to 13.1 million gallons of wastewater every day, collecting and treating used water from homes and businesses before sending it back into Cayuga Lake. This site focuses on the connections between community residents and our water system. The treatment facility serves a critical role in human and environmental health - which is itself a combination of human resources, engineering, chemistry, and biology - all working together!

In partnership with Ithaca Murals, local artist Norma Gutierrez created a four-panel mural for this site. The mural depicts our local, cyclical water system. It all starts with the rivers leading into Cayuga Lake, a land originally cultivated by the Cayuga Nation. Next, the mural then shows the water flowing into a system of pipes, where it is treated and cleaned for drinking water purposes.

Caleb sitting in a wood table.

Caleb Thomas: Ithaca Murals

Norma in the foreground with background full of hanging strip of lights.

Norma Gutierrez: Artist

This water then travels into the many homes and businesses before leaving as wastewater. Gravity pulls the water through over 60 miles of pipes before arriving at IAWWTF, where it is treated before returning to Cayuga Lake.

We want to thank our partners and collaborators:

  • Norma Gutierrez, Artist & Muralist
  • Caleb ThomasIthaca Murals
  • Ed Gottlieb, Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility
  • Cynthia Brock and Tee-Ann Hunter, Special Joint Committee (SJC)
  • Emilee Tracy-Arm and Kelly SauveIthaca Farmers Market
  • Susan Brock, SJC Attorney