Filters can't stop filth in village H2O

FORESTVILLE, N.Y. (WIVB) - The chronic problem of contaminated drinking water in the Chautauqua County Village of Forestville has driven some residents to install special filtration.

Despite heavy duty water filters in Toni and David Bishoff's Forestville home, their water comes out of their pipes looking muddy.

"It is ruining everything," Toni said. "Everything I put in the washer comes out with mud streaks, mud lines, or a different color."

The dirty water prompted the Bishoffs to install a high volume, whole house water filter in the basement. But David says, that wasn't enough.

"That didn't work, that wasn't sufficient, I had to put a second one on," he noted. "Within 250 to 300 gallons of water going through, they got plugged up solid where they won't run."

The Village of Forestville has had problems with its water system for years, and a water ban has been in place for nine months. Village officials have already dug new wells to supply folks like the Bishoffs, but it is going to cost as much as $6,000,000 to install new water lines.

What about the damage already done?

"I've lost her washing machine. I've lost her hot water tank, and between the two of those that is about $1,500," David said. Add to that that the water filters and, "this system here is another $200 and more, and every day it is costing me $3.10 for the filter."

The Bishoffs drive to another town to get their drinking water from an artesian well, and Toni has developed a medical problem in her digestive tract. They know they will eventually get clean water, but how much longer do they have to wait? Toni says they get a full range of answers.

"It is going to be... one says a year, one says six months before the village is anywhere near being 're-watered,'" she said.

Village officials were not available for comment on our story, but the Village Board is holding a special meeting Wednesday afternoon, possibly to award the bid for installing the new water lines.

The board also has to submit its plans to the County Health Department.