Long Island: What’s In Our Water?

New Report on 1,4-Dioxane and PFAS Chemicals in Long Island’s Drinking Water in 2023

1,4-Dioxane and PFAS are emerging contaminants of concern found in Long Island's groundwater and drinking water. PFAS is known as “forever chemicals” with links to serious human health impacts. In 2020, due to the health risks and widespread contamination of these contaminants, New York State adopted some of the strongest drinking water standards in the nation for 1,4-dioxane, PFOS, and PFOA. As a result of these new standards, water suppliers are required to test for these chemicals and provide treatment if levels exceed the standards.  As water suppliers are still working to obtain and install the expensive filtration systems, New York State granted deferrals to some water districts. The EPA announced even more protective standards for PFAS chemicals.

CCE embarked on a comprehensive evaluation of the presence of these emerging contaminants in drinking water across LI. We reviewed existing data from 2024 Annual Water Quality Reports from Long Island public water suppliers. These reports provide a summary of data from 2023.  We also created interactive online maps that depict the maximum level detected of 1,4-dioxane and PFAS contamination in each water district.