(Submitted photos of creek bed leading into Ripley Reservoir. Left: taken 10/6/25 by Ripley Water Operator Andrew Strine; Right: Taken 5/30/24 by Casey Miller / Chautauqua County Health Department)
MAYVILLE, N.Y. — Due to critically low water levels in the Ripley Reservoir, the Town of Ripley has officially declared a State of Emergency. The ongoing Mandatory Water Conservation Order remains in place for all customers within the Ripley Water District.
Despite residents’ efforts to reduce water use, a lack of rainfall since early last week has caused Reservoir levels to continue to decline. Following a review of the situation on Tuesday, October 14th, Town and County officials have determined that stronger measures are necessary to safeguard public health and safety.
Water supplied to Ripley Water District customers remains safe to drink. However, bottled water donations are being requested from local retailers to help reduce household water use and preserve the limited Reservoir supply. Details about the distribution of bottled water will be shared as soon as they become available.
In addition, local authorities are coordinating efforts to transport water via fire trucks to the Ripley Reservoir to increase supply to the treatment plant. Residents should expect increased fire truck activity along Routes 20 and 76 during this period.
“The State of Emergency declaration is serious,” said Town of Ripley Supervisor, Laura Pless. “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.”
Effective immediately, all Ripley Water District customers — both residential and commercial — must take steps to reduce water usage. These restrictions will remain in place until further notice and can be enforced now that a state of emergency has been declared.
Supervisor Pless adds, “The Town of Ripley sincerely appreciates the collaboration and support we are receiving from Chautauqua County and New York State Emergency Services, and our local fire department. Their tireless efforts to assist the Town are greatly appreciated.”
Ways You Can Conserve Water:
- 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 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 fire department cannot use District water to fill private wells.
Conditions Remain Critical
Chautauqua County is currently under a drought warning and the weather forecast shows no significant rain in the forecast until the weekend. Therefore, continued conservation is essential. Stay updated on drought conditions across New York State here:
https://dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/water/water-quantity/drought/current-drought-conditions
The Chautauqua County Health Department is keeping in daily contact with water operators and officials in Fredonia and Westfield, as these communities also rely on reservoir systems. Although neither community is currently under a water conservation order, it is important for residents and businesses to recognize that their water systems are similarly vulnerable during drought conditions.
Stay Informed with NY Alert
All residents and business owners are strongly encouraged to enroll in the NY Alert system to receive timely updates on this water emergency, as well as other public health and safety notifications.
Sign up here: https://alert.ny.gov/sign-ny-alert-0
Tip: Use an email address or phone number you check frequently.
Questions contact:
- Ripley Water District: 716-413-8010
- Chautauqua County Health Department: 716-753-4481
- Official updates will be posted on the County website:
https://chqgov.com/news
Thank you for doing your part to protect our community water supply.
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.
