Fredonia Mayor Michael Ferguson emphasized to village residents last week that water main breaks do not lead to boil orders.

“We’ve had a number of water main breaks which we’ll talk about in just a little bit,” Ferguson said at a Fredonia Board of Trustees workshop. “Because you may or may or not lose water in your neighborhood, does not mean it’s a boil water order, number one. Number two, no matter which direction this board goes in regards to water, that will not stop water main breaks until, and when and if, in our lifetime, we ever get to replace the pipes.”

The mayor stated that “This entire community was discovered off and on in the 1800s and in many cases, this infrastructure in the low ground is that old as well.”

Ferguson complained that “We’ve had a couple different water main breaks this week — but the very first social media reaction is, ‘Here we go with boil water.’ Because your water main breaks, has nothing to do with boil water. So please keep those two separate and understand.”

The “social media reaction” came after Fredonia experienced six boil water orders in 30 months, with the latest a week-long affair that ended July 15.

Department of Public Works head Scott Marsh said Wednesday the village had three water main breaks in the past week. All were swiftly repaired.

“Hot days, so I give the guys credit,” Marsh said.

He echoed Ferguson in stating that water main breaks do not cause boil orders. Marsh said DPW goes door-to-door when there are main breaks to tell people whose service has been cut off.