With all the editorials, commentary and public remarks regarding the decision the Village Board of Trustees made regarding the village’s water source, supplier and future projects, it is necessary to distinguish the facts from fiction.

Fiction — The village redacted the LaBella report to hide facts from residents.

Fact — The study was redacted by the Department of Health and the village attorneys to comply with National Security concerns.

Fiction — The reservoir is spring fed.

Fact — The reservoir is fed by tributaries, some of which flow through farmland. As LaBella pointed out on Page 22, Section 2.1.1.3 “Tributaries to Fredonia Reservoir are identified in the DEC Priority Waterbody List as threatened for use as a water supply, noting water supply use of Fredonia Reservoir is thought to experience threats from pathogens due to the level of agricultural pastureland in the watershed.”

Fiction — The cost to repair the reservoir, spillway and water treatment plant is the least costly option.

Fact — LaBella estimates the cost to retain the reservoir, spillway and water treatment plant to be $34,314,000. The cost to decommission the water treatment plant, drawdown the reservoir and build an interconnect with Dunkirk is estimated to be $26,035,000.

Fiction — Fredonia’s water quality is far superior to Dunkirks.

Fact — Per Department of Health reports, the quality of both municipalities’ water is very similar, with Dunkirk water being of slightly higher quality.

Fiction — LaBella recommended that the village chose option 1, repairing and retaining our current system.

Fact — Page 77 of LaBella’s report, Section 7.0 (recommended alternative) clearly states “village input is necessary to complete Section 7.0. LaBella will complete it, incorporating Village input after officials have had the opportunity to read the report.”

Fiction — The State’s audit of the North County Water District and CBI will have a negative impact on the villages ability to purchase water from the city of Dunkirk.

Fact — The city of Dunkirk, CBI and the North County Water District are all separate entities. Whatever negative findings from the state cited in their report does not impact the City of their ability to continue producing and selling water.

Fiction — Drawdown of the reservoir will negatively impact the surrounding wildlife because the reservoir will be dry.

Fact — The drawdown will be gradual and will take place slowly over a few weeks time. The majority of the volume of water will remain, and once the project is complete could be used as a recreation area.

I urge all residents to demand facts and not believe every off-hand comment that is stated as fact from supporters of any of the 3 options outlined in the LaBella Engineering Study.

This project is too important to be swayed by misleading information promulgated by any party.

Jon Espersen is a Fredonia village trustee.