Drinking Water Response Activities to Address Local Water Supply Concerns
The following is information about response activities by the New York State Department of Health to address local water supply concerns.
View Westhampton Beach and Quogue Area PFAS Blood Testing Group-level Results
Ongoing State Health Department Activities
The State Health Department has been conducting activities in New York State communities in response to local water supply issues and concerns. Activities include:
- Consultation and advice to address community water supply issues
- Drinking water testing for affected public and private water supplies
- Activities to characterize and address exposures
Community Resources
PFOA Biomonitoring (Blood Sampling) Program
- Letter from Health Commissioner Zucker and 5 State Health Officials Calling for CDC Study of PFAS Health Effects (PDF)
- PFOA Blood Sampling Questions and Answers (PDF)
This blood testing is a way to learn more about people's actual exposure to PFOA. It will also tell us how the levels of PFOA in the blood of people in or near the area compare to people living elsewhere.)
People who wish to participate will be asked to sign a consent form and complete a questionnaire that tells us about their potential exposure to PFOA.)
For more information about the blood testing please contact the NYS Department of Health at 518-402-7950. For all other inquiries please use the contact information below.
PFAS in Drinking Water in Westhampton Beach and Quogue Area
Westhampton Beach and Quogue Area PFAS Blood Testing: Group-level Results
DOH conducted a PFAS blood testing program for a sample of the population served by the public water supply in the Westhampton Beach and Quogue area of Suffolk County. PFAS stands for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which are also known as perfluorinated chemicals or PFCs. This blood testing was conducted for a systematic sample of people in order to provide information about PFAS levels in blood in the population served by public water in this area. View the Group-level results.
PFOS in Drinking Water in Newburgh Area
PFOA in Drinking Water in Hoosick/Hoosick Falls
PFOA in Drinking Water in Petersburgh
A Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) filtration system has been installed on the Petersburgh municipal public water system that is effectively removing PFOA from water before it enters the system. Repeated testing throughout the municipal public water system has shown that PFOA has been reduced to non-detectable levels. Normal use of the water will clear PFOA from your household plumbing, but if you prefer, you can choose to flush your indoor plumbing, fixtures, and appliances.
- Town of Petersburgh: Residential Flushing Instructions (PDF)
- Hoosick and Petersburgh Area Questions and Answers about PFOA Blood Testing Program (PDF)
- PFOA biomonitoring group-level results: early summary of preliminary findings for Petersburgh area participants (PDF)
- PFOA biomonitoring group-level results: final summary of findings for Petersburgh area participants (PDF)
PFOA in Drinking Water in Washington County
Fish Testing for Perfluorinated Chemicals (PFCs)
The New York State Departments of Health (DOH) and Environmental Conservation (DEC) are working together to collect, analyze, and evaluate fish from water bodies around the Newburgh and Hoosick Falls areas for a group of chemicals called PFCs (this includes PFOA and PFOS). For more information, please visit Fish Testing for Perfluorinated Chemicals (PFCs).
Additional Information and Research
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Drinking Water Health Advisories for PFOA and PFOS
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency about Hoosick Falls Water Contamination
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Statement on Private Wells in The Town of Hoosick and Village of Hoosick Falls, NY January 28, 2016
- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
- Spanish (PDF)
- Haitian Creole (PDF)
- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry Interim Guidance: An Overview of Science and Guidance for Clinicans on PFAS
- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and Your Health
- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry ToxFAQs for Perfluoroalkyls
- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry Family Tree of Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Perfluorinated Chemicals (PFCs)
- World Health Organization International Agency for Research on Cancer Related Monographs on the evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans
- C8 Science Panel: Probable Links Report
- Danish Ministry for the Environment: PFOA, PFOS and PFOSA Evaluation of health hazards and proposal of a health based quality criterion for drinking water, soil and groundwater
- Health Canada: Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) in Drinking Water Document for Public Consultation
- Breastfeeding and Chemicals in Drinking Water
- Frequently Asked Questions: PFOA in Soils, Water, and Impact on Agriculture (PDF)
- Frequently Asked Questions About Pools and Hot Tubs in the Hoosick Falls Area (PDF)
- PFOA Biomonitoring: Behind the Scenes at the Wadsworth Center (PDF)
- In-home Water Filtration Options for Household Drinking Water
- Town of Hoosick Village Water Information
- Village of Hoosick Falls Municipal Water Information
- Town of Petersburgh PFOA Water Information
- January 14, 2016—Joint DOH and DEC Letter to EPA
Letters to Municipalities
- May 10, 2016—NYS DOH, DEC Pools and Hot Tubs FAQ
- April 6, 2016—NYSDOH approval of full-capacity GAC system plans for HFMWP
- March 30, 2016—Letter to the Village re: non-detect municipal water testing results
- March 18, 2016 - Letter to Town of Petersburgh
- February 26, 2016—Door hangers with general information about the flushing program and flushing instructions
- February 26, 2016—Letter to the Village re: municipal water testing results
- February 26, 2016—Testing and Flushing Information Press Release
- February 24, 2016—Water System Flushing Plan Approval
- January 7, 2016—Temporary GAC System Approval Letter
New York State News
- New York State Announces New Full Capacity Filtration System for Town of Petersburgh Water Supply is Fully Operational
- Press Release: New York State's Water Quality Rapid Response Team Announces New Actions to Address Water Contamination In Washington County
- Press Release: New York State Releases Newburgh Blood Testing Results and Announces Expanded Testing Program
- Press Release: New York State Announces Hoosick Falls Full Capacity Water Filtration System Is Fully Operational
- Press Release: New York State Announces Free Tests Will Provide Information on Exposure to PFOS
- Press Release: New York State Announces Water From Village of Hoosick Falls Municipal Water System Is Safe to Drink
- Press Release: New York State Announces Additional Progress in Addressing PFOA Contamination
- Press Release: New York State Announces Progress to Address Contamination at Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Site and in Village Water Supply
For More Information
Water Quality Hotline: 800-801-8092 (Monday - Friday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm)
For specific questions about potential health effects:
- Email: btsa@health.ny.gov, phone: 518-402-7800 (Monday - Friday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm), or write: State Health Department, Bureau of Toxic Substance Assessment, Corning Tower, Room 1743, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12237
For specific questions about the public water supply:
- Email: bpwsp@health.ny.gov, phone: 518-402-7650 (Monday - Friday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm), or write: State Health Department Bureau of Water Supply Protection, Corning Tower, Room 1110, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12237
For specific questions about private wells:
- Email: beei@health.ny.gov, phone: 518-402-7860 (Monday - Friday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm), or write: State Health Department Bureau of Environmental Exposure Investigation, Corning Tower, Room 1717, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12237
For specific questions about blood testing:
- Email: beoe@health.ny.gov, phone: 518-402-7950 (Monday - Friday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm), or write: State Health Department Bureau of Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology, Corning Tower, Room 1203, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12237