Fredonia updates community on boil water order and ongoing efforts

FREDONIA, N.Y. (WIVB) –  On Thursday, the Village of Fredonia issued an update for residents still under the ongoing boil water order, assuring the community that efforts are underway to restore safe water conditions.

“Very irritating, very aggravating,” said Mayor Michael Ferguson.

According to village leaders, the Fredonia Water Treatment Plant continues to work closely with the Department of Health, monitoring the situation hourly, after a boil water advisory was issued earlier this week.

“It was a chemical reaction, so we had to clear all the tanks," said Ferguson. "We have to clean all the tanks and bring it back up. What happens now is we have to do two days worth of testing with New York State."

Crews are currently focused on stabilizing and reducing turbidity—silt and chemical levels—within the plant, a crucial step in returning the water quality to acceptable safety standards.

Ferguson says the issue stems from a former employee’s mistake.

“This time it was human error. The last time we had it, it was a mechanical issue," he said.

He went on to say the employee is no longer employed as of yesterday.

"It's a shame that it has to be necessary. It's embarrassing for the community,” he said.

In the meantime, the village has organized water pickup events at the Fredonia Fire Department. However, this is the last stock available. Village officials have reached out to Hamburg leaders for additional water, but supplies are limited heading into the weekend.

“We were able to get some local donations from stores around here. Then we worked with New York State through emergency services to get some water," said Josh Myers from the village’s Office of Emergency Management. "As of right now, this will be our last one until I’m able to secure more water. I’m actively working on that."

Leaders acknowledged that over the past five years, the village has had to issue more than a dozen boil water advisories.

Neighbors picking up water Thursday expressed their frustration with the ongoing issue.

“Well, it is frustrating and disappointing. I’ve lived here for 34 years and it’s frequent. I used to have my own water well—I should’ve never put in the waterline,” said longtime resident Dan Lawrence.

“Anytime—it’s just so inconvenient. Running around trying to buy water, and the stores are out of water,” said another resident.

“I don’t feel like they’ve addressed the problem. I think they’ve pushed it off for decades. We pay for our water, so I’m not sure why it seems every two months we can’t use it,” said resident Sterlang Stearns when asked if he trusts leadership to fix the issue.

Ferguson estimated that building a new water treatment plant in the village would cost upwards of $37 million.

“Again, it shows that it’s an antiquated water system, and we need to make the change,” Ferguson concluded.

The boil water order will only be lifted once testing is successfully completed. Village leaders say they expect the advisory to remain in effect throughout the weekend.