12/13/2024
WT Staff
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December 13, 2024 952 am EST
State of Emergency in Whitehall - water shortage and BWA
Safe Drinking Water Advisories
Washington County: Following months of severe drought in the Upper Lake Champlain watershed, the Village of Whitehall declared a State of Emergency due to water system failure related to supply. The Village has restored service with a boil water advisory and water conservation plan in effect.
An announcement from the Village of Whitehall yesterday, Dec 12 at 4 pm is as follows:
The State of Emergency for the Village of Whitehall remains in effect.
Contractors, the Village’s crews and representatives of the State and County agencies have helped the Village achieve some stabilization of the Village’s water supply from Pine Lake. It is important to note that the emergency measures employed are temporary while the Village, its engineers and crews,
continue planning for longer term solutions. In the interim, the Village is still urging residents to conserve water. The boil water emergency and water conservation restrictions remain in effect.
Water testing is being done by Department of Health staff on site. Further information will be provided if or when the water testing satisfies the regulatory requirements.
Residents and businesses are asked to:
- Use showers and water usage appliances but are urged to limit their use.
- Limit length of showers and avoid filling bathtubs and sinks.
- Run dishwashers and washing machines with full loads to limit water use.
- Hydronic heaters can be used. Please monitor leaks.
If your pipes are prone to freezing, you must take steps to winterize or insulate your pipes as continuous water running is not allowed.
RESIDENTS ARE REMINDED THAT THE WATER EMERGENCY IS NOT OVER; THE WATER IS NOT YET SAFE TO DRINK; AND THAT THE WATER SUPPLY STILL REQUIRES CONSERVATION MEASURES. ALL TAP WATER FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION SHOULD BE BOILED AT A ROLLING BOIL FOR AT LEAST ONE MINUTE AND THEN COOLED PRIOR TO USE.
Again, Residents are urged to not drink tap water without boiling first. Continue to utilize the points of distribution that are established.
The warming center and bathroom facilities are now closed. Bottled water and non-potable water will remain available at the firehouse until 8:00 pm and will continue while the boil water is in effect.
The Village will provide another update at tomorrow at 10:00 am.
Whitehall serves 2800 people from a surface water source, Pine Lake, in Upper Lake Champlain watershed.
Montgomery County: Fonda (V) Water Works and Village of Fonda have been placed on a system-wide boil water order for high turbidity and inadequate chlorination. Turbidity is suspended particles that can host microbiological contamination. Turbidity combined with low chlorine is a double whammy, it is important to observe the BWA until further notice.
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that boiled tap water or bottled water be used for the following:
- Drinking
- Washing dishes
- Brushing your teeth
- Washing or preparing food
- Washing your hands
- Making ice
- Making baby formula
The complete CDC guidance can be found here.
Fonda Water Works serves 1080 people from a surface water source in the Mohawk River watershed. See the yellow tag on the map to the right for the location.
Chemung County: Millport Village Water Supply has issued a BWA after a leak dropped water level in the storage tank below the safe maintenance level. The BWA will remain until further notice. Millport Village Water Supply serves 292 people from a groundwater source in the Chemung River watershed. This watershed has been drought stressed for an extended period. Rains this week are refilling the surface water bodies, however the groundwater aquifers will take more time to recover.
See how the drinking water facilities of NYS stack up against those in GA, LA, OH and CA, here.
See NY Drinking Water Facility Profiles, here.
The latest road conditions can be found here.
Prepare your winter safety travel kit with blankets, food and water in the event you become stranded in your vehicle. NWS Safety Kit checklist, here.
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