Senator Larkin Announces Well Surveying By The NYS Department Of Health

Beginning today, September 6, NYSDOH will be conducting a private well survey in the vicinity of the Stewart Air National Guard Base, which is believed to be a source of perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) contamination in the watershed.

Senator Bill Larkin (R-C-I, 39th District) has continuously called on the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) to become more active in its response to blood testing and creating a health assessment program for the greater Newburgh community.

“I am pleased to announce that the NYSDOH will be conducting a private well survey in the vicinity of the Stewart Air National Guard Base,” said Senator Bill Larkin.  â€œThis survey will serve to identify whether or not private wells in this area have PFOS contamination.”

The NYSDOH has recommended that if you are using a private well as your water supply, you, and especially pregnant women or breastfeeding mothers, may want to consider using bottled water for drinking, cooking, and preparing infant formula until your well is tested and the quality of your water supply can be assured.

Individuals served by a private well can have their drinking water tested for free.  To find out if you live in this vicinity and are eligible for testing please contact the NYSDOH Bureau of Environmental Exposure Investigation at (518) 402-7880.  Questions can also be directed to the New York State Water Quality Hotline at 800-801-8092 (Monday-Friday: 9am - 8pm; Saturday: 9am -3pm).