New York State Sen. Pete Harckham and Assemblymember Chris Burdick say that New York state will pay for homeowners to test their water wells for PFAS in a rebate program based on legislation they had sponsored.
PFAS refers to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. PFAS known as “forever chemicals” because they do not break down over time. They have been linked in numerous studies to serious health conditions, including thyroid disease, liver damage and kidney cancer.
Under New York’s PFAS Removal Treatment Rebate Program, the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation is directed to reimburse private well owners for PFAS testing and, if contamination exceeds state standards, for the installation of filtration systems or connection to a nearby public water supply.
“Nothing can be more important than the health of our residents,” Burdick said. “Homeowners need to know whether their water is safe, and if not, that removing PFAS can be done without undue financial burden.”
Harckham said. “No family should have to face this crisis alone. Cleanup is extraordinarily costly, and it is unacceptable to force homeowners to bear that burden to protect their health. Access to clean water is a fundamental right, and this program ensures communities are protected without placing additional financial strain on families.”
Under state regulations PFAS in public drinking water is limited to no more than 10 parts per trillion. The standard has not previously been applied to private wells.
According to Harckham and Burdick, a recent study by the U. S. Geological Survey estimated that 56% of private well owners in New York may be affected by PFAS contamination.
The state’s Environmental Facilities Corporation has been allocated funding to establish the rebate program. Under the program, individuals may be reimbursed up to $5,000 for PFAS filtration systems, up to $10,000 to connect to a public water system and up to $1,500 for ongoing testing and maintenance.
During its first year, the program will operate as a pilot in six counties: Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Suffolk, Ulster and Westchester. Each participating county will receive $1.5 million in initial funding, totaling $9 million, with the remaining $3 million held in reserve to address additional needs.
According to Harckham and Burdick, the rebate initiative builds on New York’s broader efforts to eliminate PFAS exposure and protect public health, including banning PFAS in certain consumer products and emergency equipment, expanding statewide testing and increasing funding for mitigation and remediation projects.
