UPDATE 10/27: The Town of Ripley announced that the water conservation order issued for all customers in the Ripley Water District on October 10 has been lifted.
Town officials said the reservoir has returned to near normal levels for this time of year, and the creek that flows into the reservoir is no longer dry. Residents may return to normal water use.
“The Town would like to thank all of our customers for doing their part to conserve water while this order was in effect. We would also like to thank all of the volunteer fire fighters and Companies that helped us with trucking water and North East Township for allowing us to draw water from their system”.
UPDATE 10/15: A Mandatory Water Conservation Order that was issued for all customers in the Ripley Water District due to critically low water levels in the Ripley Reservoir remains in place, and now the Town of Ripley has declared a State of Emergency.
The Chautauqua County Health Department said, despite efforts to reduce water use, a lack of rainfall since early last week has caused reservoir levels to continue to decline. After a review on October 14th, town and county officials determined that stronger measures are necessary to safeguard public health and safety.
Officials said the water remains safe to drink, but bottled water donations are being requested from local retailers to help reduce household water use and preserve the limited supply. Distribution details will be shared when they become available.
In addition, officials are coordinating efforts to transport water via fire trucks to the Ripley Reservoir to increase supply to the treatment plant.
“The State of Emergency declaration is serious. Our community must work together to reduce the amount of water we are using. We aren’t out of water yet, but we need our residential and commercial users to decrease their usage even more so that we can be sure there is enough water for essential needs such as drinking, sanitation, and fire protection. Please reduce your water usage wherever you can.”
You can read more in our updated report here.
You can find our original report below.
ORIGINAL 10/10: A Mandatory Water Conservation Order has been issued for all customers in the Ripley Water District due to critically low water levels in the Ripley Reservoir.
The Chautauqua County Health Department said effective immediately, all Ripley Water District customers — both residential and commercial — must take steps to reduce water usage and the restrictions will remain in place until further notice.
“This order reflects a serious situation. The stream that supplies the Reservoir is currently dry, and water levels are dropping faster than they can be replenished. We must act now to ensure there is enough water for essential needs such as drinking, sanitation, and fire protection.”
According to the health department, recent rainfall was not sufficient to restore reservoir levels. There is no significant rain in the forecast and the county is currently under a drought warning. You can find updated drought conditions across New York State here.
WATCH: 'Critically low' water levels in the Ripley Reservoir lead to a Mandatory Water Conservation Order
Below are some ways to conserve water, provided by the health department:
- Turn off the faucet while brushing teeth, shaving, or washing dishes.
- Only run dishwashers and washing machines with full loads.
- Take short showers; turn off water while lathering.
- Skip pre-rinsing dishes; most dishwashers can remove food particles and stains without pre-rinsing.
- Use disposable plates, cups, and utensils.
- Thaw frozen foods in the refrigerator or microwave — not under running water.
- Clean vegetables in a bowl of water, not under the tap.
- Do not wash vehicles.
- Do not hose down sidewalks, decks, or driveways — use a broom instead.
- Do not water lawns or landscaping.
- Do not fill pools, hot tubs, or other large containers.
- Check for and fix leaks in faucets, toilets, and pipes.
- The fire department cannot use District water to fill private wells.
If you have questions, you can contact the Ripley Water District at 716-413-8010 and the Chautauqua County Health Department at 716-753-4481.
