HANNON CALLS ON CUOMO ADMINISTRATION TO FAST-TRACK NEW DRINKING WATER SAFEGUARDS

Old Bethpage, NY – Yesterday, Senator Hannon was joined by Senators Marcellino and Phillips to demand that Governor Cuomo and the state departments of Health and Environmental Conservation take immediate steps necessary to protect New York’s drinking water from potentially harmful chemicals.

Senator Hannon, Chair of the Senate Health Committee, said, “The health and well-being of all New Yorkers are at risk while we wait for drinking water standards to be set for these potentially harmful contaminants. In July, I wrote to DOH and DEC urging them to reconvene the Drinking Water Quality Council immediately and neither I nor the Council members saw any response. We need action now in order for New York to set standards that are protective of the public here on Long Island and in communities throughout the state.”

The Senators called upon the Cuomo administration to take four necessary steps that will help communities on Long Island and throughout the state protect their water quality and prevent contaminants from affecting public health: 

• Hold Drinking Water Quality Council Meetings;
• Set New Recommended Levels for Drinking Water Safety;
• Support Infrastructure Investment to Prevent Water Contamination; and
• Sign Senator Hannon’s Legislation (S6655) Improving Public Awareness of Dangerous Contaminants.

The Senate has been leading the charge to address drinking water quality by reaching out to impacted communities, providing significant resources, and implementing legislative initiatives that protect public health and the environment.  Hearings led by Senators O’Mara and Hannon held in 2016 led to an extensive report on Water Quality and Contamination in early 2017, followed by the adoption of a state budget with the largest single investment in clean water infrastructure in the state’s history.  Senator Hannon will continue to pursue measures that protect drinking water quality for all New Yorkers.

###