Local residents press for GenX testing after private well detects contamination

Several participants described private testing that found high PFAS levels in deeper private wells and urged the group to insist DEC include GenX in future community testing. Committee member (S2) reported a private contractor took samples from a 600-foot well and said results “came out as 1,200 pounds per train” in the meeting’s description of an elevated result; members discussed sharing those test results at future DEC sessions.

Moderator (S1) explained that DEC’s public testing list covers six chemicals and that GenX (C6) was not included on the list the group had at hand. The group debated whether the consent order that governed testing reflects older knowledge and whether a legal amendment would be needed to expand required testing to newer compounds. “Is it going up or down?” S1 asked about measured concentrations, underscoring uncertainty and the need for follow-up testing and clearer test panels from DEC.