Boil Water Notice Issued for Ferndale Water District After Multiple System Failures

LIBERTY, N.Y. — January 23, 2026 — A boil water notice remains in effect for residents served by the Ferndale Water District in the Town of Liberty following a water main break and additional system failures.

Town officials say the advisory was issued after a water main break on Friday, Jan. 23, compounded by a transmission main failure at the Ferndale storage tank. As a result, the Ferndale tank has been taken offline, and water is currently being conveyed to the district from the Village of Liberty system.

The public water system, identified as PWS ID NY5211831, serves parts of the Town of Liberty in Sullivan County.

Areas affected

Customers who normally receive Town of Liberty water along the following roads are affected by the boil water notice:

Pump Station Road

Sullivan Avenue

Twin Bridge Road

Upper Ferndale Road

South Main Street

Ferndale Road

State Route 52

Harris Road

Grossing Road

Old Monticello Road

Clements Road

What residents should do

All customers served by the Ferndale Water District are directed to bring tap water to a rolling boil, let it boil for at least one minute, and allow it to cool before use. Bottled water certified for sale by the New York State Department of Health may also be used.

Boiled or bottled water should be used for:

Drinking

Making ice

Brushing teeth

Washing dishes

Food preparation

Officials say boiling water kills most microbes and other organisms that may be present due to a loss of water pressure.

Health considerations

Harmful microbes in drinking water can cause symptoms such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, and other gastrointestinal issues. These symptoms may pose a greater risk to infants, older adults, and people with severely compromised immune systems. Anyone experiencing persistent symptoms is advised to seek medical attention.

What’s being done

Town officials say repairs are underway and that no significant loss of pressure is expected while the boil water order remains in effect. Water quality testing will continue until results confirm the system is safe.

The boil water advisory is expected to remain in place until Tuesday, January 27, though that timeline could change depending on test results. Residents will be notified when the notice is lifted.

For more information, residents can contact:

Town of Liberty: 845-292-5620

New York State Department of Health: 845-794-2045

Officials are also asking residents to share the notice with others who may not receive it directly, including people in apartment buildings, nursing homes, schools, and businesses.