BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Water levels described as “critically low” in the Ripley Reservoir in Chautauqua County has prompted a State of Emergency, the Chautauqua County Health Department said Wednesday.
Ongoing drought conditions have caused the levels in the reservoir to decline.
Officials said that water supplied to customers remains safe to drink, but residents are being asked to conserve water when and where they can. In addition, bottled water donations from local retailers are being requested to help reduce demand in households.
Water is being transported by fire trucks to help supplement the reservoir, which supplies around 1,800 customers.
The entirety of Chautauqua County was placed under a drought warning notice, which is the highest level possible.
“I’ve been here 10 years and this is the lowest I have seen,” Ripley water and sewer superintendent Andrew Strine said. “Historically, from what I understand it has been lower but we didn’t have as many customers at that point in time.”
Earlier in the day Wednesday, the Village of Fredonia issued a notice for residents and businesses to conserve water, citing the drought and low levels of water in the Fredonia Reservoir. Ripley and Fredonia represent two of the three water reservoirs in Chautauqua County.
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