Cherry Valley Facing Water Emergency

CHERRY VALLEY - The Village of Cherry Valley is facing a water emergency that could last the next two months.

Village residents are being asked to conserve water as the village has hired a contractor to repair a broken well.

An extreme conservation of water is being requested from the Village, mayor and board of trustees. The village has two well pumps and currently well number one is not able to be used due to age and other factors. The well is inoperable due to mechanical issues due to age and other factors beyond the village's control.

At this time, officials said it looks like the village is looking at another six to eight weeks before the issue can be fixed. Despite the issues, the water is safe to drink, village officials said.

The DPW staff is monitoring the well conditions twice a day and the State Department of Health is aware of the issue as they have been working closely with the state for some time. 

The village has again contracted with Layne Christensen company, as was done when the initial issues were addressed. When the well was first worked on this summer, Layne Christensen was hired to redevelop and bore blast the well, it was thought that this would solve the problems of low water pressure being produced by well number one, according to village officials. Unfortunately, when putting the pieces back together, it was discovered that one of the main components to the well, the pitless, was in much worse condition than previously thought. It was decided that a new pitless was needed. The village office and Department of Public Works staff have been working diligently to contact many companies to find not only the best price for the village, but also company that could service them as soon as possible, officials said.

In the late afternoon of Friday, August 15 the mayor and board made the decision to sign an additional contract with Layne Christensen Company.

They noted that the village flowers have been watered by the DPW with creek water. Also, should residents want some water for flowers, use  the water tanks provided by the DPW at the gazebo across from the health center. This is NOT drinkable water as it comes from the creek

You can save water indoors by doing the following: 

* Turn off the faucet while shaving, washing up, brushing teeth, and washing dishes. 

* Fix, dripping and leaking faucets and toilets. 

* Do not run the tap to make water, hot or cold. 

* Put a plastic jug filled with water in the tank of conventional toilets. 

* Throw used facial tissues into the wastebasket instead of using the toilet as a wastebasket. 

* Wash the full loads of dishes and laundry. 

* Install water, saving plumbing fixtures. 

* Take shorter showers and fill the bathtub only partway. 

The following ways will save water outdoors: 

* Raise your lawnmower cutting height. 

* Use a pool cover. 

* Use mulch around shrubs and garden plants to save water moisture. 

* Wash cars less frequently. 

* Sweep, sidewalks and steps rather than hosing them down. 

* Keep fire hydrants closed.