The Village of Watkins Glen announced at 9:50 this morning that its untreated tap water is safe to drink again — lifting a nine-day-old order to boil water before drinking.
The notification by the village water department, which also applies to the Town of Dix and Town of Reading water districts as well, was posted on the village website and announced in robocalls to residents of the districts this morning.
The village said it ended the boil water advisory with the approval of the state Department of Health, which took water samples for testing on Aug. 22.
The boil-order, issued Aug. 16, followed earlier tests by the health department of water drawn from Seneca Lake, the source of tap water for the three water districts. That tested water failed to met a state threshold for turbidity, or cloudiness.
The turbidity problem arose from torrential rains that swept the region on Aug. 15, causing widespread property damage in the Lodi and Hector areas in particular.
Turbidity is not always dangerous, but it is often associated with the pretense of harmful bacteria, viruses and/or parasites that can cause diarrhea, nausea, headaches and other symptoms.
The boil-water order also forced the cancellation of the scheduled three-day rock festival by the Vermont jam band Phish at the Watkins Glen International racetrack Aug. 17-19.
The order has also led to numerous cancellations at hotels and a bed & breakfasts in the Watkins Glen area.
Peter Mantius is the founder of the Water Front, an all-digital publication dedicated to providing news and coverage of important environmental news in the Finger Lakes. His brings decades of reporting and editorial experience to his work, which includes frequent deep-dives into local, and regional issues. Contact him by clicking here or dropping him a line at [email protected]
