New Operator for Forest Park Group's Broken Water System in Mahopac

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To address the water crisis in Mahopac, Suez Water New York Inc. has been appointed by the New York state Public Service Commission to take over the day-to-day operations of the Forest Water Group.

The Forest Park Group provides metered water service in 14 separate non-contiguous water systems to about 980 customers in Carmel and Southeast in Putnam County and Lewisboro in Westchester County.

The move ensures that those customers will continue to receive a safe and adequate water supply, said state Sen. Terrence Murphy, announcing the PSC move.

"Families need safe drinking water and water for everyday use," he said. "When the company that is supposed to be a providing water service lacks the ability to do so, something has to be done to rectify the situation. Through the diligence of my staff, County Executive Odell and the PSC we got the water flowing again."

Last week, one of the two wells at the Chateau Ridge water supply stopped producing water.Forest Park Water Company could not arrange for repair because their payment could not be guaranteed.

A public health emergency was in the making. according to Interim Health Commissioner Michael Nesheiwat, MD.

Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell authorized an emergency delivery of 6,000 gallons of water to the water storage tanks for Chateau Ridge.

"We recognized there was an immediate problem and put together a comprehensive plan of action," she said in Murphy's announcement. "Our office, Senator Murphy and the PSC worked quickly and efficiently together to solve the problem. We did what we needed to do to on behalf of people that needed help."

Suez Water investigated the condition of the impaired system on June 24, providing technical and financial support in restoring the system to full operation.

Suez Water has since informed the PSC of multiple deficiencies with the Forest Park system, including a failed well pump, non-payment of vendors and an inactive customer service number. Since then a well at another system has failed and Suez Water is again assisting in its restoration.

The Forest Park Group is comprised of Northeast Water Services, Forest Park Water Company, Inc., Hilltop Meadows Water-Works Corp., and Misty Hills Water Corporation.

The PSC has the authority to appoint a temporary operator for a water utility with less than 1,000 customers if the Commission finds that the utility either failed to provide safe and adequate service, lack the technical or financial ability to do or has abandoned the water system. Given the current state of the Forest Park Group, it was determined they could not provide service. The owner of the Forest Park Group gave his consent for the appointment of a temporary service provider.

As temporary operator, Suez Water will be notifying each customer that they will be managing their account.