OBSERVER Photo by M.J. Stafford A North County Water District meeting is pictured. The district is the supplier of water to Portland.

PORTLAND — Town of Portland Supervisor Rich Lewis stated that a leak has been identified and isolated in the town’s infrastructure. The leak led to low water pressure and left some customers without water.

As of Tuesday morning, a boil water order remained in effect for consumers on Ellicott Road, Webster Road, and Dahlberg Road. Lewis, who also serves as the Waste Water Treatment Supervisor for the village of Brocton, stated that the leak will be repaired on Tuesday and that all customers should have water by the end of the day.

When water mains lose pressure for an extended period of time it increases the chance that untreated water and harmful microbes could enter the system. Boiling the water kills bacteria and other microbes that could be present. After the break has been fixed, Water District staff will flush the system and collect water samples to make sure the water is safe. Water customers will be informed when tests confirm that no harmful bacteria are present in the system and they no longer need to boil their water.

On Monday afternoon, water customers in the village of Brocton and town of Portland were put on a mandatory water conservation order. The announcement came through a NY Alert. According to social media posts, low pressure was reported on Webster Road as well as Route 20.

Boiled or bottled water must be used to wash dishes by hand; dishes should be allowed to completely air dry after washing. Home dishwashers that reach a temperature of 170⁰F and have a full dry cycle do not need boiled or bottled water. The water may be used for bathing as long as it is not consumed. The water is safe for laundry.

The Chautauqua County Health Department is requiring all Village of Brocton and Town of Portland customers to please limit their water usage to reduce the draw on the storage tank until further notice. Please reduce water usage by 50%.

In previous conservation orders, the Health Department recommends using tap water only as it is essential to your daily needs. Do not water lawns, shrubs, plants, etc. Do not wash cars, trucks, trailers, decks, houses, sidewalks, driveways, etc. Use paper plates and utensils to avoid dishwashing. Limit showers and baths. Run washing machines only if necessary and only if there is a full load.