On July 8, Governor Cuomo’s office announced that the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) has proposed new drinking water standards for the emerging contaminants PFOA, PFOS, and 1,4-dioxane, which are polluting Long Island groundwater from industrial chemicals that were used and disposed here for decades. At that time, those responsible for the contamination knew or should have known about the hazards posed by their products, but they didn’t take appropriate steps to warn others of the threat or to prevent the contamination from occurring. That’s why we are taking them to court. They – not our customers – are responsible for contaminating our water supply and should be held accountable for the costs of cleaning them up. In the meantime, our commitment to only deliver water to our customers that meets or surpasses all local, state, and federal standards is steadfast.
A 60-day public comment period will follow publication of a notice in the State Register, which is expected to occur on July 24, 2019. Following the public-comment period, the new standards will be formally issued, along with the rules and regulations that govern when and how water providers must comply with them. But complying with these new standards will require a substantial investment of time and financial resources, including the time to acquire, test, and fully implement the most effective treatment technologies and protocols. For that reason, we are urging NYSDOH to ensure that all water providers have both the time and resources needed to meet these new standards.
For additional questions about the proposed standards or health information about PFOA, PFOS, and 1,4-dioxane, please contact NYSDOH via phone or at dohweb@health.ny.gov.
