The village of Fredonia expects to lift its boil water order Thursday, according to a social media post.

“We are currently working on our chlorination system in order to eventually lift the Fredonia boil water order,” began the Facebook post on Fredonia’s village government page. “A reminder that you can do laundry and bathe. Please make sure to boil enough water for your family and your pets. We expect that after water testing is completed we should be able to lift the ban sometime Thursday.”

The village is encouraging people to sign up for NYAlerts, which sends automated messages to cell phones about events affecting public safety, to get updates on the boil order.

The boil order was issued around 11 p.m. Sunday night. According to a press release from Chautauqua County, “A disruption in treatment at the water treatment plant led to water that was not adequately treated entering the distribution system. This water could contain harmful microbes. Boiling the water kills bacteria and other microbes that may be present.

“All Fredonia water customers must boil water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth and making coffee until further notice. Water must be brought to a rolling boil for one minute then cooled prior to use.

“Boiled or bottled water must be used to wash dishes by hand; dishes should be allowed to completely air dry after washing. Home dishwashers that reach a temperature of 170⁰F and have a full dry cycle do not need boiled or bottled water. The water may be used for bathing as long as it is not consumed. The water is safe for laundry.

“Once the treatment process has been fully restored to normal operations, the village will collect water samples on consecutive days to make sure the water is safe. Notifications and press releases will be used to inform the public when the boil water order is lifted.”

The boil water order is Fredonia’s fifth such order in the last 24 months. The community can’t come to a consensus on what to do about Fredonia’s antiquated treatment plant and reservoir. While some advocate shutting it all down and purchasing water from outside Fredonia, the “Save Our Reservoir” coalition has stridently argued against such a course of action. That group thinks Fredonia should repair its dam and reservoir and keep making its own water supply.