CARMEL – The Putnam County Health Department has reported a disturbing statistic.
Twenty percent of private wells tested under a New York State program surpass guidelines for chemicals causing cancer and other health conditions.
Putnam’s Public Health Director Rian Rodriguez and associate public health sanitarian Brian Stevens brought the grim news to members of the county legislature’s Health Committee when reporting that of the 480 property owners who had their water tested for so-called forever substances, more than 20 percent have PFAS levels exceeding the state guidelines of 10 parts per trillion.
Rodriguez told the lawmakers that the affected property owners have several options. They can request $5,000 to install a filtration system on the main water line entering the residence; can ask for $1,000 to install filters on faucets or request up to $10,000 to connect to a municipal water system.
Stevens reported that Putnam was one of six counties chosen by the state for the pilot to address contaminated wells with PFAS. Others include Dutchess, Orange, Westchester, Suffolk, and Ulster counties.
PFAS commonly used in nonstick cooking ware as well as in water repellent clothing has been linked to several health concerns besides cancer that include low birthweights and elevated levels of cholesterol.
Recently, water main filters were provided to properties abutting the Mahopac business district due to high PFAS levels while Albany has provided funds to Kent, Brewster, and Putnam Valley to help remedy water contamination.
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