The Town of Southampton has unanimously approved $1.2 million in Community Preservation Funds (CPF) to support a Suffolk County Water Authority project which will bring high quality public water to homes in Westhampton. The funding, approved during a Town Council meeting on Tuesday, December 10, was the final piece needed to fully fund the $3.8 million project, which will provide public water access to 57 homes with private wells contaminated by PFAS.
The project will involve installing 7,500 feet of new water main to connect homes on Old Country Road, Cedar Lane, Columbia Avenue, Montauk Highway, Sea Breeze Avenue, Sea Gate Avenue, Summit Boulevard and nearby streets to the SCWA system. The project will also install private service lines that connect their properties to the new water main at no cost to homeowners, a priority for SCWA due to the public health risks posed by PFAS contamination.
The CPF funding joins $1.25 million in federal support secured by Senator Charles Schumer, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and Representative Nicholas LaLota, along with a grant from the state through the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act (WIIA) program.
“This project shows what can be done when all levels of government work together to safeguard public health,” said SCWA Chairman Charles Lefkowitz. “Thanks to this partnership, we’re able to provide high-quality drinking water to residents without any out-of-pocket costs for connections.”
The project stems from a 2017 private well assessment by the Suffolk County Department of Health Services (SCDHS), which found PFAS contamination exceeding the state’s maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 10 parts per trillion. Retesting in 2020 confirmed these findings, prompting SCDHS to prioritize the area for public water expansion.
PFAS are a group of chemicals widely used in consumer products and industrial applications, including firefighting foams and non-stick cookware. These substances have been linked to health effects such as liver damage, immune system impacts, and certain cancers.
“This project addresses a critical public health need, and we are proud to partner with SCWA to make it happen,” said Southampton Town Supervisor Maria Moore. “Community Preservation Funds are a vital tool for improving water quality and protecting our residents from harmful contaminants. Addressing this serious health concern for the Westhampton community will give them the peace of mind that their water is safe to drink.”
About the Suffolk County Water Authority
The Suffolk County Water Authority is an independent public-benefit corporation operating under the Public Authorities Law of the State of New York. Serving approximately 1.2 million Suffolk County residents, the Authority operates on a not-for-profit basis without taxing power.