04/08/2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 8, 2026
🚨 Town of Elma Water System Update – BOIL WATER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR ENTIRE TOWN
The Town of Elma advises all residents that the Boil Water Advisory remains in effect for the entire municipal water system until further notice.
⚠️ BOIL WATER ADVISORY – ENTIRE TOWN OF ELMA
All residents must bring water to a full rolling boil for at least one (1) minute before using it for:
• Drinking
• Cooking
• Brushing teeth
• Washing food
• Preparing infant formula
• Making ice
The advisory will remain in place until required water quality testing is completed and the system is confirmed safe.
For additional guidance, please visit the New York State Department of Health Boil Water Advisory FAQ:
https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/water/drinking/boilwater/faq_residents_and_homeowners.htm
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🚧 System Status Update
Immediate repairs to the major water main break have been completed, and water has now been restored throughout the entirety of the Town of Elma’s municipal water system. If you do not have water now you should shortly. Crews continue to refill our water storage tanks and stabilize system pressures.
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💧 What Residents Should Expect
As the system continues to stabilize, residents may experience:
• Air in water lines
• Cloudy or milky-colored water
• Pressure fluctuations or intermittent service
• Temporary discoloration
If you experience air in your plumbing system, go to the highest faucet in your home or business and run cold water for approximately 10 minutes to help clear the lines.
Residents may continue to observe open fire hydrants throughout the town as crews work to remove air and balance the system. Please do not adjust or interfere with hydrants.
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🏛️ Emergency Operations Update
The Town of Elma Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at Town Hall has been closed. However, Town officials will continue to actively monitor the situation.
Residents with questions or concerns may contact Town officials at:
📞 716-652-3260
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🙏 Community Acknowledgement
On behalf of the Town of Elma Office of Emergency Management, we would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the residents of the Town of Elma for your cooperation, patience, and support throughout this event.
A tremendous thank you goes out to our Town employees, especially our Water Department personnel, who worked tirelessly over the last 30+ hours to bring resolution to this emergency.
We also extend our sincere appreciation to:
• Our Volunteer Firefighters
• Our Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) members
• The Erie County Sheriff’s Office
• The New York State Police
• Emergency Management staff from the Town of Cheektowaga and Town of West Seneca
• Emergency Management Staff from the Erie County Department of Homeland Security & Emergency Services
• The New York State Office of Emergency Management
• Mayer Brothers
• And many additional partners who supported this response
As stated during our press conference, this is a shining example of the strength, professionalism, and unity of our community.
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📣 Stay Informed
Residents are encouraged to continue monitoring:
• The Town of Elma website
• The Elma Emergency Manager page
The Town will provide updates as testing progresses and when the boil water advisory can be safely lifted.
⸻
4/8/2026, 7:30pm
Donald Trzepacz Jr.
Emergency Manager/Disaster Coordinator
Town of Elma
1600 Bowen Rd
Elma, NY 14059
[email protected]
CD-135 | KB2UVI
Protecting your family, yourself and others from potentially contaminated drinking water takes some thought and effort. Questions from residents and homeowners about how to do this often arise during a boil water event. The following pages provide answers to some questions you may have. In the event...
