Albany – More than a dozen environmental, civic, and research groups have sent a letter urging the State Department of Health and the Drinking Water Quality Council to establish maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for the chemicals PFOA, PFOS, and 1,4-dioxane, which have been found in drinking water across the state.

For Immediate Release: July 2, 2018

Leading Environmental Groups Call for State Leadership to Protect Drinking Water from Chemicals

Albany – More than a dozen environmental, civic, and research groups have sent a letter urging the State Department of Health and the Drinking Water Quality Council to establish maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for the chemicals PFOA, PFOS, and 1,4-dioxane, which have been found in drinking water across the state. The organizations are also calling for the adoption of regulations for statewide testing for additional emerging contaminants. The action comes as the Drinking Water Quality Council’s most recent meeting has been postponed since March, with no future date set to reconvene. 

The following statement is attributable to Liz Moran, water & natural resources director for Environmental Advocates NY.

“While EPA is busy doing more to protect polluters’ pocketbooks than the public’s health, New York must lead on protecting our drinking water from dangerous chemicals. The longer the state delays adopting appropriate MCLs for PFOA, PFOS, and 1,4-dioxane and puts off testing for emerging contaminants, the longer communities across the state are at risk when they turn on the tap. When New York leads, the nation follows. We cannot afford to wait to ensure every citizen has access to drinking water that doesn’t make them sick.”

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