Suffolk County residents who rely on private wells can apply for free PFAS testing through a New York State pilot program. The program is administered by the Suffolk County Department of Health Services and is part of the County Executive’s ongoing commitment to clean water and improved clean water infrastructure.
“Clean water is essential to our quality of life here and Suffolk County and it is imperative that we utilize the resources available to us to better our communities,” said County Executive Ed Romaine. “Through our partnerships and our Department of Health Services, we are conducting extensive testing throughout various communities to identify potential contaminants. Our residents deserve to know this information, and I encourage homeowners to participate in this free program if eligible.”
The Private Well PFAS Testing and Mitigation Rebate Pilot Program provides eligible homeowners, renters and businesses with access to free PFAS water testing and financial assistance for treatment, or connection to a public water system.
Suffolk County was awarded $1.5 million in grant funding to provide rebates to residents for PFAS mitigation. Residents can receive PFAS testing free of charge. Additionally, Suffolk County offers a private well water testing program, which tests for PFAS and approximately 300 other contaminants. Suffolk County is one of only six counties in the state invited to participate in the pilot program.
Eligible participants include those who own or rent property with a private well in a participating county. Additional eligibility requirements are found on the Department of Health website.
“Clean drinking water is a cornerstone of health and protecting the water supply of residents is a priority for our department,” Suffolk County Department of Health Services Commissioner Dr. Gregson Pigott said. We welcome the partnership with New York State in the coordinated efforts to take the first steps towards reducing potentially harmful PFAS contaminants in our water supply.”
People who get drinking water from a public water system are not eligible for this program. The Department of Health and local health departments have a separate, robust public drinking water compliance program in place requiring local water systems to monitor and address PFAS and other contaminants.
For more information, or to apply to have your private well tested by New York State, visit www.health.ny.gov/PrivateWellPFAS.