Parts of Sullivan County are facing a serious water crisis, driven by rapid population growth and aging infrastructure. The county’s water system is under intense strain, with old pipes struggling to serve a rising number of residents. 

The situation is becoming more dire as developers continue to push for new, high-density housing, further depleting already limited water resources. As conditions worsen, tensions are mounting between local residents, government officials, and environmental advocates.

On March 13, my classmate Emmett Schwalb and I, students at Homestead Collaborative College High School, spoke with Brett Budde, a local farmer from Fallsburg, New York, to better understand the scale of the crisis. Brett offered valuable insight into both the environmental and personal impact of the water shortage.

He explained that the town relies on a shared aquifer—a vast underground reservoir—for its water supply. “An important thing to know, no matter if you live in town or out of town, all of our water is coming out of the aquifer, which is like a gigantic lake underground,” Brett said. The aquifer is under serious pressure, especially in the summer months when seasonal tourism increases water demand. Proposals for additional housing developments could stretch the water supply even thinner.

What troubles Brett the most is the inaction from local leadership. “I mean, I would say the most disturbing aspect of it is that really, unfortunately, our town has done next to nothing to deal with the in-town problems,” he said, voicing his frustration. Despite his active involvement—attending meetings, joining public forums, and raising awareness online—official responses have been limited and slow.

The economic impact of the crisis is also deeply concerning. Fallsburg is one of New York’s poorest towns, where home ownership is a primary asset for many families. As water becomes scarcer, property values are dropping. “If we don’t have water in our wells, our property value will be worth nothing. Nobody will buy a house from you that doesn’t have a working well,” Brett warned. The crisis risks widening the town’s economic inequalities.

A particularly controversial proposal involves rezoning land near Loch Sheldrake to allow for high-density housing. Many fear this would place further strain on Fallsburg’s fragile water and sewer systems. Critics—including residents and environmental groups—are calling for a moratorium on new development until infrastructure improvements are made.

Brett has become a vocal advocate for addressing the water crisis. “But once I realized that the reason my well went dry was that we were taking too much water out of the aquifer, it became an existential crisis in terms of my livelihood,” he said. “The value of everything I’ve done for the last 17 years without water, all the investment, all the energy, everything I’ve done to build this farm, is completely worthless.” His story reflects the deep personal stakes involved in the town’s water struggles.

Fallsburg has allocated funds to address the infrastructure issues, but faces a significant financial gap. Some residents have suggested stricter development regulations, including sustainability standards for new projects. The town is exploring options like intermunicipal water agreements to ensure that growth does not come at the expense of its water resources. However, for now, the future remains uncertain, and the battle over water rights and sustainable development in Fallsburg is far from over.

The future of Fallsburg’s water supply (and, by extension, the community’s well-being) remains uncertain. For now, the town finds itself at a crossroads, facing a difficult but crucial choice between unchecked development and long-term sustainability.

I’d like to thank Emmett Schwalb for his hard work throughout the interview process, specifically his thoughtful questions for Brett and attention to detail while working on everything.