About this time last week, the village of New Paltz issued its “do not drink” advisory for municipal water. Just over four days later it was lifted after remediation efforts yielded “no detectable signs of petroleum compound” in the drinking water. Here’s an updated look at what happened and what to expect going forward.  

Tests on Wednesday following remediation efforts found no measurable levels of petroleum in the village water supply. More testing and flushing of the system will be done before the “do not drink” advisory will be lifted.

DEC and Village of New Paltz officials have isolated the likely cause of the sheen observed on Village Reservoir #4 to a compromised underground fuel line for the village’s water treatment plant heating system. DEC Spill Response experts are overseeing development and implementation of a cleanup plan to address this spill, according to the state. The village has bypassed this reservoir while investigations of the drinking water supply continue and sampling results are analyzed. The Department of Health is working with local officials to implement a plan to conduct a comprehensive flushing of the water in the village’s distribution system so the do not drink advisory can be safely and effectively lifted.

All of New Paltz is wondering: What’s in the water? While residents and businesses make due with bottled water, state officials are seeking the answer. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has stepped in to test the Village of New Paltz’s reservoirs and implement remedial measures in case there has been a spill or contaminants in the drinking water supply for approximately 14,000 residents.