CHATHAM—The state of emergency in the Village of Chatham due to a major water main break affecting water to the entire village and the hamlet and other parts of the Town of Ghent will last for five days, ending at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, September 14.
Chatham Mayor John Howe said in a Monday afternoon press release that a village Department of Public Works crew found the break this morning. In addition to the mayor’s declaration of a state of emergency, a boil-water order for all users of the village water system in the village and in the Town of Ghent is now in effect. Those connected to the water system who still have water service are being instructed to reduce the amount of water they use.
Bottled water is available at the Chatham Fire House on Hudson Avenue.
The Village of Chatham water system also serves surrounding areas in the Town of Ghent, including homes and businesses along state Route 66 and through much of the Ghent hamlet on the highway. It also extends westward along state Route 203 to the Edgewood Acres Mobile Home Park. The village says that 400 – 500 people are without water in the Edgewood Acres.
In a brief interview Monday afternoon Mayor Howe said an old section of water main near Edgewood Acres had broken and emptied a holding tank, releasing all the water in the tank.
The village asked the state for water trucks to supply residents of the mobile home park. As of Monday afternoon, the village said trucks with potable water would be located at the Edgewood Acres mailboxes and the Chatham Fire House. Other parts of the system have service still have service but must boil the water before using it.
During the morning the mayor and other village officials worked with Columbia County officials to declare a state of emergency for the Village of Chatham and the Town of Ghent, which allowed for emergency action and resources to assist with the repair.
The village says that crews immediately began repairing the break when it was discovered. The mayor said he had been at the site of the break starting at 8 a.m.
The Village of Chatham website, https://villageofchatham.com/ will be updated as information becomes available.
The Village Mayor and Board, Village Clerk and Chatham Police Department and Chatham Fire Dept. are working with the New York State Police, Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, Columbia County 911, Columbia County Health Department and Columbia County/NYS Emergency Management to notify Village and Ghent residents and businesses.
