Albany – Today, the Drinking Water Quality Council recommended Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL) for PFOA, PFOS, and 1,4-dioxane. The Department of Health is now tasked with initiating a rulemaking process to finalize MCLs as state regulations. Every public water system in New York will be required to test for these chemicals when MCLs are implemented.
For Immediate Release: December 18, 2018
State’s Drinking Water Quality Council Makes Recommendations
Albany – Today, the Drinking Water Quality Council recommended Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL) for PFOA, PFOS, and 1,4-dioxane. The Department of Health is now tasked with initiating a rule making process to finalize MCLs as state regulations. Every public water system in New York will be required to test for these chemicals when MCLs are implemented.
The following statement is attributable to Robert Hayes, clean water associate for Environmental Advocates NY:
“Just yesterday, Governor Cuomo said that New York must stand up, do the science and regulate chemicals to safeguard our water. While these recommendations are very good start, we encourage the Department of Health to follow the principles articulated by the Governor yesterday and adopt MCLs in line with the latest science. In addition, the Department of Health should immediately begin statewide testing of drinking water to keep communities safe. Industry polluters have long dumped their chemicals into our environment, with countless families in Hoosick Falls, Petersburgh, Newburgh and elsewhere paying the price by drinking toxic water for decades. Now that the state has taken the first solid step toward rectifying the damage, these impacted residents can take solace in the fact that thanks to their tireless advocacy, all New Yorkers will have strong safeguards against contamination.”
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