Reservoir overflow causes cloudiness in Cold Spring water supply; water emergency declared
The water superintendent said that when the two reservoirs up in the hills overflowed, water came rushing uncontrolled down into Foundry Brook where the treatment plant is.
Do not wash your car.
Do not even think about filling up your pool.
Do not water lawns and gardens.
These are requirements under a Level 2 water emergency declared by the mayor of Cold Spring.
The village is requiring all water system customers to pull back on their water use because a recent storm caused some havoc in the local supply.
The order to cease the watering of gardens prompted many residents and business owners to pay attention.
Homes and businesses that do not have pretty flowers out front are in the minority in Cold Spring. The flowers are part of the village's charm that attracts visitors from around the Hudson Valley and New York.
Homeowner Rick Valentine said that if the restrictions stay in place for several days, his flowers will be affected.
"Oh, it only takes a couple days [without water] in this heat," he said. "Then it will start turning brown."
Under the water emergency, hotels and bed-and-breakfasts are also ordered not to wash guests' sheets on each day of their stays unless requested. Restaurants and bars also must not serve tap water unless a customer specifically asks for it.
Saturday evening's short, sudden, powerful storm hit the water system's reservoirs hard.
The water superintendent said that when the two reservoirs up in the hills overflowed, water came rushing uncontrolled down into Foundry Brook where the treatment plant is. It picked up sediment, motor oil and other substances in its path.
The village is paying for spring water by the truckload to feed the system until the treatment plant brings levels of purifying chemicals to proper levels to be able to release treated water again.
"We all know we needed the rain," village resident Peter Farrell said, "but maybe it was too much at one time."
Farrell said he will do his part and change his afternoon plans. Prior to learning about the restrictions, he was planning to wash his car and then work in his garden with his daughter.
"If we gotta hold back, I can hold back a couple days," he said. "I do try to save water as well. I catch it off my gutters if I can."
Several other residents said they plan to use water from their rain barrels. Another said she will use water from a large dehumidifier that keeps her home dry.
The water superintendent said he hopes to balance chemical levels within the next day, and that once that happens, he will recommend the mayor end the water restrictions.
