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CRITICAL WATER SHORTAGE: Interlaken residents must conserve water immediately

Officials in the village of Interlaken and Seneca County say a water conservation order is in effect until further notice for residents there.

“The situation is critical,” the Seneca County Health Department wrote in a release announcing the conservation request.

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The Village of Interlaken is currently running out of water due to electrical service issues. All residents served by the Interlaken Water System are asked to conserve water until further notice.

“The Village and the Health Department are doing everything they can at this time to ensure that there is an adequate supply of water for consumption and fire suppression, and appreciates the understanding and cooperation of all those affected at this time,” officials added.

The Village of Interlaken Public Works Department has issued a conservation order.


Here are the steps health officials are asking residents to take immediately:

  • Use your dishwasher and washing machine only for full loads.
  • Run only full loads of laundry. If you are able, use laundromats in neighboring communities if at all possible. 3. If you wash your dishes by hand, do not leave the water running for rinsing.
  • Keep a bottle of drinking water in the refrigerator to keep it cool instead of running the water. 5. Use of disposable/single service dinnerware, cups, and utensils will minimize dishes that need to be washed. 6. Check faucets and pipes for leaks. Leaks waste water 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and often can be easily repaired.
  • Check your toilets for leaks. To test for leaks, add a small amount of food coloring to the toilet tank. If,  without flushing, the color begins to appear in the bowl, you have a leak that should be repaired immediately.
  • Take shorter showers. Long showers can waste many gallons every extra minute.
  • Do not leave water running while brushing your teeth.
  • Do not wash your car.

Officials said updates would be released periodically, but gave no indication of a timeline for fixing the problem.



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