Area and state officials gathered this morning to celebrate the start of the north county water district.

Talk about making a splash.

On a sun-splashed 88-degree day, Chautauqua County, municipal and state officials got together around 11 this morning at the Portland water tower off Route 5 to celebrate the start North County Water District. Water from Dunkirk will now be delivered to the town, west Pomfret, Brocton and Portland.

Don Steger, who heads the North County Water District group, called the effort “a building process.” Steger credited the work of the Chadwick Bay group, municipal, county and state leaders for getting the effort accomplished.

But, he noted, this is only one part. The second phase of the water district will soon take place and head east toward Silver Creek.

“It would be wonderful if we could keep this going,” Steger said. “It’s something that will anchor this community.”

Here is the official flip of the switch:

IT’S OFFICIAL. The north county water district has flipped a switch to provide water from Dunkirk through Portland. pic.twitter.com/CqHhvmqF8B

— The Observer (@TheObserverNY) September 5, 2018