The “do not drink” advisory for the Village of New Paltz’s water system has been lifted. In a statement early Friday morning, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo says the state Health Department completed system flushing and re-sampling of the water distribution system, which showed no detectable levels of petroleum compounds.
Homeowners are advised to flush their plumbing to remove any old water that may be lingering in their house or business pipes.
Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan said, "These results are great news for the residents of New Paltz, who can now be confident that their water supply is safe. I'd like to thank everyone for their patience, and recognize the incredible team effort — from the leadership of Governor Cuomo and Mayor Rogers to the on-the-ground work of our dedicated engineers, first responders, and public health experts — to quickly address this challenge."
The advisory was issued earlier this week after reports of odor complaints and a sheen on Reservoir Number 4. State officials have said the likely cause was a compromised underground fuel line for the village’s water treatment plant heating system. On Wednesday, SUNY New Paltz cancelled classes through Saturday and ordered all residential students off campus until Sunday.