After the Village of Nyack took heavy criticism this year for failing to alert residents to bacteria in the water supply, the village is changing the way it sends out emergency alerts. Nyack will still use the same system, but village officials will have control over deciding when to send alerts and what the alerts should say. Previously, alerts were submitted and processed through Rockland County. Once village officials activate the system, alert messages will instantly be sent to thousands of residents by phone, computer or text message. Incoming Nyack Mayor Jen White says the village decided to stick to the same state-operated system because switching to a private alert system would cost thousands of dollars in taxpayer money. It was more effective to eliminate Rockland as a "middle-man" from the system, she says. The changes to the system will take effect next month.Nyack mayor: City needs better emergency alerts15,000 affected by boil water advisory in NyackBoil water advisory issued for thousands of Nyack residents