As anger stirs in the village of Fredonia regarding the third boil-water crisis within the last year, trustees are proposing a bitter option of raising rates by about 44% to users. That rate would increase from $4.51 per 1,000 gallons used to $6.51.

No hike will go over well with customers — and a hearing will be held later this month to get public comment. As a bit of history, the reason for this rise is twofold.

First, due to lack of previous investment — for more than 30 years — in the current water system, it costs the village more to produce the commodity. In this year’s budget, that means the water fund after revenues and expenses has a $500,000 deficit.

Second, while ignoring the need for upgrades, the village has lost significant customers. Before Carriage House left the region, which was the village’s cash cow, leaders were able to maintain lower rates because the business was using a great deal of water.

Also impacting Fredonia usage is declining enrollment at the State University of New York at Fredonia. With nearly 2,000 fewer students in the last decade at the institution, the bills to the university are less than they were when the system was making a profit.

Overall, the previous leadership of the village let down all users — the university, businesses and residents. No one really paid much attention because the previous water crises were fewer and far between and the revenue was still rolling in.

Today, there’s a three-way division. Those who want reliable water, no matter where it comes from; another that wants to save the reservoir; and another that wants a regional solution that includes Fredonia possibly with the water district.

None of these are comforting solutions. But neither are the continuing water emergencies due to a lack of care and urgency from previous village administrations and trustees.