Whitehall businesses close due to water shut-off

WHITEHALL, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The village of Whitehall is under a state of emergency, and the water system was shut off late Sunday night. As a result, a number of businesses are closed.

"Everybody's water was just shut off overnight here in Whitehall, but every business owner just had their livelihood shut off here in Whitehall right along with it," said Eric Mattison, who owns a hair salon and a laundromat on Main Street.

Mattison's business relies heavily on the use of water. As a resident, he also noted that it is not easy or convenient to find water elsewhere.

“If you need anything, you have to go to Glens Falls, you have to go to Rutland, you have to go to Ticonderoga. You know, it's a half an hour pretty much from anything," Mattison said.

Michael Putorti is one of the owners of The Railyard Taproom and Restaurant. Monday will be his second day in a row without business, as they closed Sunday knowing the Village was already low on its water supply.

Business owners around the village share uncertainty for what the coming days will hold, not just for their customers, but their staff.

"It's really hard to think about what's going to happen in the future. I really don't know," said Putorti, "and I think my biggest concern is for not just here, but employees at other businesses.”

"There's been a problem here in Whitehall with the water system for quite some time," said Mattison, "so I think that just needs to be addressed and come up with a long-term solution.”

The Mayor Francis Putorti told NEWS10 that a temporary solution would be for the village to tap into a local pipeline so they can get temporary water for about three months. 

Bottled water distribution began at noon Monday at the Whitehall Volunteer Fire Company.