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Ulster County residents who use private wells for drinking water can now apply for free testing of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), along with rebates for water treatment systems. The effort is part of New York’s Private Well PFAS Testing and Mitigation Rebate Pilot, which aims to help homeowners address concerns about these persistent chemicals, sometimes called "forever chemicals," that have been found in drinking water nationwide.
The program, announced by the New York State Department of Health, Department of Environmental Conservation, and Environmental Facilities Corporation, is available in Ulster, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Suffolk, and Westchester counties. According to a Daily Freeman article, residents are eligible for free PFAS testing if their primary drinking water source is a private well.
PFAS chemicals are used in many household and commercial products and can remain in the environment for a long time. Research has linked them to health risks, including certain cancers and developmental delays in children, as reported by Spectrum News. New York’s drinking water standard for two of the most studied PFAS, PFOA and PFOS, is 10 parts per trillion.
Residents whose water tests show PFAS at or above this level can apply for rebates. The program offers up to $5,000 for a whole-house treatment system, up to $10,000 to connect to public water where available, and up to $1,000 for certified point-of-use treatment systems in some cases. Property owners must submit rebate applications after mitigation work is complete. Tenants may also apply if they provide a notarized property-owner acknowledgment, and some businesses with their own wells may qualify.
County Executive Jen Metzger said, "PFAS contamination is a growing concern across the country, and this pilot provides our residents with free testing and meaningful financial support to keep their water safe," as cited in both the Daily Freeman and Spectrum News reports.
Funding for the program is limited, so application periods may close based on demand. Applications can be completed online at health.ny.gov/PrivateWellPFAS. For local help, residents can call the Ulster County Department of Health at (845) 340-3022.