RIPLEY, N.Y. — Parts of Western New York have declared states of emergency due to a severe drought affecting the area.

In Chautauqua County, the town of Ripley has implemented orders to conserve water, News10NBC’s Buffalo affiliate WGRZ reports.

Water is being transported from North East, Pennsylvania to the Ripley reservoir, which is at its lowest level in years.

“I’ve been here for 10 years this is the lowest that I have seen,” Andrew Strine from the Town of Ripley Water and Sewer Department told our affiliate. “Historically from what I understand it has been lower but we didn’t have as many customers at that point in time so at this point we’re roughly 7-10 feet below what we normally run.”

Local officials are distributing bottled water to help alleviate the stress on the reservoir. Restrictions will be lifted once sufficient rain replenishes the reservoir.

In Genesee County, residents are also being urged to conserve water due to severe drought conditions. According to the DEC website, Monroe, Wayne, and Orleans counties are under a drought warning. Livingston, Ontario, and Yates counties are under a drought watch.

Visit the DEC website here to learn more and stay updated.

AI assisted with the formatting of this story. Click here to see how WHEC News10NBC uses AI.

The post Parts of Western New York in state of emergency due to drought appeared first on WHEC.com.