GOSHEN- Orange County residents who rely on private wells for their drinking water will soon have an opportunity to have their water tested for potentially harmful PFAS chemicals at no cost through a new state-funded pilot program.
The Orange County Department of Health announced this week that the county is participating in the New York State Private Well PFAS Testing and Mitigation Rebate Pilot Program. Applications for free water testing are expected to open during the week of July 6.
The program is designed for homeowners who receive their drinking water from private wells. Participants can apply through a New York State Department of Health website to have their well water tested for PFAS, a group of man-made chemicals that have been linked to a range of health concerns and are often referred to as “forever chemicals” because they break down very slowly in the environment.
If testing finds PFAS levels that exceed New York’s drinking water standards, homeowners who connect to a public water supply or install an approved in-home treatment system may qualify for a state rebate to help offset the cost. Orange County’s role in the program begins during the rebate process, while testing is coordinated by the state.
The pilot program is voluntary and will operate on a first-come, first-served basis. State officials say funding is limited, and once available funds are exhausted, no additional testing or rebates will be offered.
Although all Orange County residents with private wells are eligible to apply, the state has identified several communities as priority areas based on the number of properties served by private wells and septic systems, as well as population density.
The priority communities, ranked by the state, are:
- Town of Newburgh
- Warwick
- Montgomery
- Wallkill
- Goshen
- Deerpark
- Blooming Grove
- Wawayanda
- Chester
- New Windsor
According to the Orange County Department of Health, no countywide study has previously examined the presence of PFAS in private wells, making the pilot program an opportunity for homeowners to better understand the quality of their drinking water.
Residents interested in participating can watch for the application portal to open during the week of July 6 through the New York State Department of Health.
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