Effective Friday October 23, 2026 the Village of Fredonia, in collaboration with the Chautauqua County Health Department, has issued a conserve water order for all Village of Fredonia water customers and properties outside the Village boundaries supplied by the Fredonia water system.
The Village of Fredonia is urging all residential and commercial water customers to immediately reduce water usage. Seasonal changes in water quality of the Fredonia Reservoir water are causing increased strain on the water treatment plant. Currently the filtration equipment in the water treatment plant is functioning appropriately and the water being produced does meet NYSDOH safety standards. However, the incoming water quality means water is moving through the water treatment plant slower, therefore the water treatment plant and the existing storage supplies are not able to keep up with normal water demand.
The Village is asking all residents, businesses, and institutions to take the following immediate conservation measures:
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.
Make every toilet flush count. Don’t use the toilet like a garbage can to flush away tissue, etc.
Check for and fix leaks in faucets, toilets, and pipes.
The Village of Fredonia will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as needed. Community cooperation is essential to ensuring the continued availability of safe drinking water for all. Press releases will be posted on the Chautauqua County website at https://chqgov.com/news. For more information, residents should call the Village of Fredonia at (716) 679-2307 and Chautauqua County Health Department permitted facilities can call the Health Department directly at (716) 753-4481.
About Chautauqua County Health Department - The Chautauqua County Health Department is the leading Public Health organization in Chautauqua County dedicated to the support of the community’s health. The Health Department takes innovative approaches to provide technical assistance to partner organizations, and offers various programs and services in order to help prevent disease, protect the public’s health and promote our community’s overall health and wellness. For more information visit www.HealthyCHQ.com.
Last updated: 10/23/26 at 12:30 PM