Effective 3 p.m. Monday, the boil water order has been lifted by the Health Department. It is now safe to use the water for drinking, cooking, and all other normal uses. Residents are also no longer required to conserve water.
The Village of Fredonia Water treatment plant was back into normal operations on Friday evening, November 30th. Village water staff collected water samples from throughout the distribution system on both Saturday and Sunday. Samples were tested for total coliform bacteria and turbidity, a measure of the cloudiness of the water. Both rounds of bacteria testing, analyzed by the Chautauqua County Health Department laboratory, have confirmed that no harmful bacteria are present in the Village of Fredonia Water System.
Turbidity is used as an indicator for what microbes other than bacteria might be present in the water. The turbidity readings that were taken on Sunday throughout the Village were measurably better than those taken on Saturday, indicating that the water produced during the emergency was working its way out of the distribution system. To ensure that all water throughout the distribution system meets state standards, Village staff flushed water mains on Monday morning. However, any time hydrants are opened for flushing, the water may become roily (cloudy or colored), just like any other time that the Village flushes.
Customers should also flush their plumbing systems by running faucets, tubs and other water fixtures to ensure safe water is throughout the plumbing. If you experience cloudy or colored water due to hydrant flushing do not do laundry and do not drink the water until it has cleared.
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
For more information, please contact the Fredonia Village Hall at 679-2302 or 679-2303 or the Chautauqua County Health Department at 753-4481 or 363-4481.
