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

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.

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

Letters to Municipalities

New York State News

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