Fredonia as well as the region has been treading water in this dismal situation for years and literally drowning in the mire of confusion and politics.

Potable water is not a political issue or one to be a divided commodity or passed around like a plague. It is a basic Human Right and each individual deserves to exercise this right and receive potable water at fair costs.

Reflecting back to the summer of 1969 while assisting in research of Canadaway Creek and the Reservoir, both had contaminates worth needing removal then, which was prior to the EPA. Remediation of the creek then proved fruitful for today’s activities. The reservoir issues were known then and are more than problematic as the issue at large today.

Currently there are three lawsuits in the mill and with the possibility of more due to the outrageous rate increase. The legal fees and court costs will position the matter behind the proverbial eight ball without escape or anything positive being accomplished towards water security. The Labella Associates Preliminary Engineering Report provides substantial information.

After examination of the report and obtaining data on other water utilities, and aerial photos, Fredonia is not the only utility at risk with water security being a systemic county issue.

To move forward, Fredonia is faced with finding a resolution that provides potable water for a minimum of 50 years, that is sustainable and financially feasible. This is by no means an easy task and is the current dilemma. There has been a breakdown with all parties and the failure to expand other parties and develop partnerships through communication, cooperation and collaboration.

One of the most valuable resources available is also a customer, SUNY at Fredonia and they have not been utilized to the full. The issues are well documented with the reservoir … it is the resolution that needs to be addressed forthwith for sustainable potable water. It is not environmentally or financially feasible to dredge the reservoir or line it.

Draining it down would disrupt the chemistry and increase pollutant levels including algae plumes. Decommissioning the reservoir and dam would eliminate it as a needed second emergency water source. Optioning to receive water from Dunkirk is not environmentally or cost feasible. This would be a single source and drawing surface water shared to other communities is a high risk.

The current system is in need of upgrades and does not filter microplastics and fibers, nor use UV light for microbial control. It is not a secure source. To keep the current reservoir and repair the current water treatment plant is not feasible as it still has an unsuitable primary water source, and upgrading the current plant will not provide a sustainable goal of 50 years, is not secure and would be cost prohibitive. Clarification detention time at this low flow rate is problematic as the treatment process in itself is not efficient or effective. This is the reason the costs have increased over that of lower water consumption.

The most viable option environmentally and financially is to drill test wells to determine placement of permanent wells that will produce potable water for years. Bench testing of water will determine any additional water treatment needed. The reservoir water can then be utilized to supplement the wells or as an emergency source by sand filtration and UV light or utilized for ground water recharge. The new water rates are outrageous and unreasonable.

Of course, the water district approved the rates as a political entity and taxing authority. The new rate of $5.18 per 1,000 gallons is unheard of in New York state or elsewhere. The tiered system is most manageable if done correctly. However, revaluation is needed as to separating residential, business and commercial hook up rates, standard meter rates, and adjusted water rates per-category. This will provide equalization and revenue to bring cost down. Funding a new water source and treatment is costly, requiring creative solutions, e.g., grants, and bonding mostly.

Offer discounted rates for those who purchase a municipal bond, creating a secured category, and offer bonds outside the municipality. Resolve: If Fredonia is still within a Democratic Republic …then the issues need to be formulated, tabled and set on the ballot for the public at large to decide. This process in some form would have to be inclusive of the business and commercial sectors. Potable water is a human right.

Brad Follett is an Environmental Systems Engineer, Founder of Earth Month, CEO Earth Month Network, CEO Rain World Environmental Consultants, and Ret. USAF, Former Professor of Practice USAF Academy. Follett is slated to speak on Global Water Security at the second International Environmental Science and Engineering Summit this October in Edinburgh, U.K.