CCE applauds Governor Hochul for signing legislation that will protect public health and drinking water quality for all water systems, regardless of size
For immediate release: December 23, 2021
For more information:
Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director, 516-390-7150, or cell 631-384-1378 aesposito@citizenscampaign.org
Brian Smith, Associate Executive Director, 716-831-3206, bsmith@citizenscampaign.org
Albany, NY— Today, Governor Hochul signed legislation (A.126A/ S.1759A) to expand testing of drinking water for new emerging contaminants. Emerging contaminants, which are linked with a broad range of adverse health impacts, have been detected in drinking water supplies across the state through limited testing and often at levels above federal health guidelines. This legislation establishes the state’s first list of emerging contaminants that every water system, regardless of size, must test for. The bill closes a federal loophole for smaller water systems by requiring systems serving less than 10,000 people to test for emerging contaminants, thus helping to protect the drinking water of an additional 2.5 million New Yorkers.
“Clean water is the gift that keeps on giving. New York has taken a crucial step forward and given residents confidence and clarity about what contaminants may be lurking in their drinking water,” said Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment (CCE). “Now, New Yorkers in communities of all sizes will no longer be left in the dark when it comes to dangerous contaminants in drinking water. CCE applauds Governor Hochul for signing legislation that builds on New York’s nation leading commitment to ensure public health and drinking water quality is safeguarded from toxic emerging contaminants.”
New York State passed the Emerging Contaminant Monitoring Act (ECMA) in 2017, which instructs the NYS Department of Health (DOH) to create and regularly update a list of emerging contaminants that every water utility, regardless of size, is required to test for and notify the public. The NYS Drinking Water Quality Council recently moved to add seven PFAS chemicals to the state’s list of emerging contaminants. This legislation goes further to protect public health and drinking water quality by adding 40 contaminants to the state’s list (includes the 7 proposed by the Council). The legislation also requires NYS Department of Health to update the emerging contaminants list at least every three years.
“Industries switching from one toxic chemical to another has resulted in a slew of new emerging contaminants polluting communities across New York,” said Esposito. “This bill will keep New York ahead of the curve and ensure all water systems test for the most up to date list of emerging contaminants, thus protecting public health and the environment. This is a wonderful holiday gift for all New Yorkers!”
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