By Hank Russell
East Hampton Town Supervisor Kathee Burke-Gonzalez immediately called on Governor Kathy Hochul, Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine and Suffolk County Water Authority (SCWA) leaders to form a coordinated joint task force to protect the community’s drinking water and groundwater.
This request was made following the detection of PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” in public drinking water supply wells south of the East Hampton Energy Storage Center (EHESC) at 3 Cove Hollow Road. A 2023 fire at the facility may be the source of the contamination, according to the supervisor.
Late last week, SCWA filed a federal lawsuit against the operator of the battery storage facility. According to the Authority, two of its affected wells exceeded New York State’s maximum contaminant level for PFAS, and SCWA has taken the affected wells out of service as a result of the detections.
Immediately upon learning of the lawsuit, Burke-Gonzalez sent a letter to, among others, Hochul, Romaine, and SCWA, urging a coordinated response. The letter asked the offices to establish a joint task force to ensure that residents’ drinking water and the underlying groundwater are protected, including testing nearby private wells and pooling state and county resources so that the burden does not fall on ratepayers or individual homeowners.
Approximately 30 private wells could be affected, with most homes in the area already connected to SCWA water. Residents who rely on the public water supply continue to be served by the SCWA, which has taken the affected wells out of service. We understand that SCWA water currently meets all drinking water standards.
The town recently learned of two significant developments:that PFAS has been detected in the groundwater south of the EHESC facility, and testing of the private wells has been initiated. The Suffolk County Department of Health Services has informed the approximately 30 households potentially affected and begun going door to door in the affected area. Burke-Gonzalez said it is the town’s understanding that all residents who live south of the battery storage facility will have their drinking water tested free of charge. That was confirmed by a county spokesperson.
“Notifications were sent to approximately 30 residential properties by the Suffolk County Department of Health Services offering free water testing and asking them to contact SCDHS,” the spokesperson said.
Some of the properties served by private wells in the potential path of the contamination may be located within the Village of East Hampton. Homeowners with questions, or who believe they may be in the affected area, can contact (631) 854-0100.
“East Hampton residents deserve to know that when they turn on the tap, the water there is safe,” Burke-Gonzalez said. “We cannot ask families to wait years for a court to decide who is responsible before their water is protected. That is why I called on the state, the county, and the Water Authority to come together now to share data, align on a treatment and replacement strategy, and commit the resources our community needs.”
“I am grateful that County health officials are now testing private wells door to door, because families who draw their water from private wells have no way to know whether it is safe unless someone tests it. We will keep pressing every level of government until this is resolved. I have also informed the East Hampton Village Mayor of these developments.” she added.
Long Island Life & Politics reached out to the state Department of Environmental Conservation and the Suffolk County Water Authority and is waiting to hear back.