East Hampton demands containment, safety plans after PFAS detected near Cove Hollow battery site

Supervisor Brooke Gonzales opened the meeting with a detailed update on contamination detected near the East Hampton Energy Storage Center at 3 Cove Hollow Road, saying the town has called a multiagency task force and issued formal demands to facility owners.

"No responsibility matters more to us than the safety of your drinking water," Gonzales said, describing tests by the Suffolk County Water Authority that led to three wells taken out of service and a fourth limited to emergency use. She said the source of the detection is under investigation, the DEC is sampling the property, and the town has asked agencies to share data and expedite sampling at no cost to homeowners.

The supervisor listed six deliverables the town has demanded from East Hampton Energy Storage Center, NextEra Energy and National Grid: a revised emergency and safety plan for worst-case battery fire scenarios; stamped engineering plans and installed systems to capture all fire water on the property; a hazardous-waste plan for damaged batteries, contaminated water and soil; a corrected and certified technical record for the facility; an independent study assessing whether the facility is still needed for grid reliability or if safer alternatives exist; and full access for town inspections and sampling with reimbursement of the town's costs. The town set firm deadlines and reserved enforcement options.

Gonzales said on-the-ground testing by the county health department is underway, including private well sampling where requested, and urged residents on private wells to allow sampling. She also encouraged residents on public water that currently "meets all drinking water standards" to consult the town website for updates and to allow any county testing of private wells.