STAR LAKE – The water situation in Star Lake has improved to the point where the water usage restrictions and boil-water alert issued last week have been rescinded.

The orders calling for stiff fines for violating the usage restrictions order, had been decreed by Fine Town Supervisor Mark Hall Monday, July 29.

Hall explained that insufficient capacity of the hamlet’s water filtration system had been causing problems of output, both in terms of volume and purity.

To keep water use low, the town prohibited non-essential water use, such as watering lawns and washing vehicles. They also asked people to keep bathing to a minimum.

Violators faced water service shutoff and fines of up to $250 for the first offense and $500 for any subsequent offenses.

Hall said the filtration system, which had been clogging up at short intervals, was installed in the early 1990s. Much of the system, including most of the pipes and storage was built in the early 1950s.

The Town of Fine has been planning improvements to the Star Lake water system since problems became apparent last summer, and a preliminary engineering report is expected soon, Hall said.