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Orange County opts into $1.5M NYS private-well PFAS testing and rebate pilot
Summary
The county voted to accept up to $1.5 million from New York State to support testing and rebates for private well PFAS/PFOA mitigation. The program covers state-conducted testing and offers rebates of up to $1,000–$10,000 depending on mitigation chosen.
Orange County’s Health and Mental Health Committee voted May 19 to accept and appropriate up to $1,500,000 from the New York State Department of Health and Department of Environmental Conservation to participate in a state pilot for private well PFAS and PFOA testing and mitigation.
Deputy Commissioner of Health Lisa K. Lahiff told the committee the state will arrange no-cost testing for private well owners and provide rebate assistance for mitigation. "The purpose of the Program is to improve water quality by providing financial assistance to assess and mitigate (PFAS) and (PFOA) contaminants in private drinking water supplies where no specific industrial source of the contamination nor responsible party has been or can be identified," Lahiff said. Rebate options include up to $1,000 for point-of-use filters, up to $5,000 for a point-of-entry system that treats incoming water, and up to $10,000 to reimburse connection to municipal water where feasible.
Legislator Peter V. Tuohy moved the appropriation; Janet Sutherland seconded. Committee members asked how residents would learn about the program and who would conduct testing. Lahiff said outreach will begin after contracts are finalized, using county and state websites and social media, and that testing is conducted by the state; Orange County will not receive applications directly but will receive test results when available. Lahiff also cautioned homeowners that they must be prepared to pay upfront costs for mitigation and provide proof of installation and follow-up tests to receive reimbursement.
Committee members sought additional context about local exposure risks and program scale. Lahiff said Orange County has approximately 38,000 private wells and the state program is expected to benefit about 300 wells in the county; the pilot is first-come, first-served and is not a comprehensive regional groundwater remediation plan. Tuohy requested the county compile cost estimates for typical mitigation systems to help inform residents.
The motion carried; minutes record the vote as "All in favor."
