The Suffolk County Water Authority announced that Congress has designated $1.25 million in funding for a water main extension project near Old Country Road in Westhampton. This project will connect up to 64 homes currently reliant on private wells, which have been impacted by PFAS contamination. The funding was part of a package of bills passed by Congress to fund the federal government.
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of man-made chemicals that have been widely used in various industries for decades. Due to their persistence in the environment, PFAS have been linked to potential adverse health effects including reproductive and developmental issues, liver damage and an increased risk of certain cancers.
In 2023, SCWA was awarded a $1.4 million grant from the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation to support this essential initiative. SCWA says that they expect the total project cost to be $4.1 million. The extension will encompass approximately 7,500 feet of new water main infrastructure, providing high quality drinking water to affected residents.
SCWA Chairman Charlie Lefkowitz expressed gratitude to Congressional leaders for their role in securing the funding. "I want to express my deep gratitude to Senator Schumer, Senator Gillibrand and Representative LaLota for their tireless efforts in securing funding for this critical project. Their commitment to addressing water contamination issues and safeguarding public health is so important because we are going to give these homeowners the peace of mind that only a reliable supply of high-quality water can bring," said Chairman Lefkowitz.
SCWA continues to extend public water to areas impacted by PFAS around Suffolk County. A project to extend water main to parts of Manorville was completed earlier this year, with more work in the Town of Riverhead and Calverton expected in the coming months. SCWA will continue to seek grant funding to extend water main to areas with PFAS impacts.
About the Suffolk County Water Authority
The Suffolk County Water Authority is an independent public-benefit corporation operating under the authority of the Public Authorities Law of the State of New York. Serving approximately 1.2 million Suffolk County residents, the Authority operates without taxing power on a not-for-profit basis.