Official: New clean water law "step in the right direction" as town battles PFAS chemicals - WRGB

POESTENKILL, NY (WRGB) — Supporters of a new law signed by Governor Hochul say it will expand testing for potentially dangerous PFAS chemicals, and make sure residents are notified when they're found.

The Rensselaer County Town of Poestenkill has been trying to find the source of PFAS water contamination for months now, and that search continues.

However, supporters of this new law say this is a big step forward.

Clean water advocates say this new law sets up the most robust water testing and notification program for PFAS chemicals in the country.

Aside from the situation in Poestenkill, we've reported for years on similar problems in places including Hoosick Falls and Petersburgh, where residents have been living with elevated chemical levels in their blood.

The law includes 23 PFAS chemicals on the NYS Department of Health’s first list of emerging contaminants. 14 other toxic chemicals will be included on the second list.

The NYS DOH will also have to update the list, and add new contaminants at least once every three years.

Poestenkill Deputy Town Supervisor and Councilman Eric Wohlleber is cheering this, saying it's a great start. however, he also says there's still frustration in the town:

"This is great news today, and this is a great thing the Governor has done and we're taking a huge step in the right direction - as far as Poestenkill goes, you know I'm still not happy with the response from DEC and DOH. The reality is, we have to find the source,” said Wohlleber.

Testing has continued in Poestenkill. The latest data provided to CBS 6 shows 77 locations have been tested, 13 of them at or above the state minimum level for the chemicals. 45 locations showed at least some level.

Many residents and buildings in the rural town are on well water, but Wohlleber says there is a plan to expand the town's water district, and get places off well water. However, that idea is still in its early stages.

source: https://cbs6albany.com/news/hoosick-falls-crisis/official-new-clean-water-law-step-in-the-right-direction-as-town-battles-pfas-chemicals

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