POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. \u2014 Dutchess County residents who get their drinking water from private wells can now apply for free per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) testing, Gov. Kathy Hochul\u2019s office announced.<\/p>\n
In a press release, Hochul\u2019s office said the testing pilot program, also available for Putnam County residents, \u201cis the most recent action taken by New York state to address PFAS in drinking water and communities.\u201d<\/p>\n
Eligible participants in the program can have their private wells tested for the substances at no cost, the release said. If test results indicate perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) or perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) levels at or above the current state public drinking water standards of 10 parts per trillion (or nanograms per liter), participants can apply for a rebate once the water treatment project is complete.<\/p>\n
Program participants can receive up to $5,000 for a PFAS water treatment system or up to $10,000 to connect to a public water supply, the release added.<\/p>\n
The release said the state\u00a0will also be accepting applications in Ulster County, as well as in Orange, Suffolk, and Westchester counties, \u201cover the coming months.\u201d The six counties were selected for the program \u201cbecause they have large numbers of private wells and a higher likelihood of PFAS contamination,\u201d the release said.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy administration is committed to protecting the health of New Yorkers by tackling emerging contaminants in drinking water,\u201d Hochul said in a statement. \u201cAs we continue to learn more about the adverse health effects of PFAS, New York State is taking unprecedented steps to protect our communities. We\u2019re working with counties to address PFAS and provide peace of mind for private well users including those in small and disadvantaged communities.\u201d<\/p>\n
In a statement, Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino urged residents to take advantage of the program.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe encourage all Dutchess County residents who rely on private well water to take advantage of this opportunity to have their water tested at no cost through this important New York State pilot program,\u201d Serino said. \u201cTesting your well is a critical step in protecting your family from the potential risks posed by \u2018forever chemicals,\u2019 and state rebates are available to help cover treatment costs if needed.\u201d<\/p>\n