PFAS in Drinking Water in New York
What residents of New York need to know about PFAS ("forever chemicals") in drinking water — including contamination sources, which utilities have documented violations, and how to filter PFAS from tap water.
Source: EPA SDWIS, New York State Department of Health, CDC · Last reviewed: 2025-01-01
Quick Answer
Is PFAS in drinking water a real concern in New York?
Yes — New York is one of the most seriously PFAS-affected states in the country, with iconic contamination cases including Hoosick Falls (one of the first major civilian industrial PFAS crises), Newburgh (military contamination of a city's entire water supply from Stewart Airport), and extensive Long Island groundwater contamination from multiple sources.
Where does PFAS come from in New York?
New York has three major PFAS exposure corridors: (1) Hoosick Falls (Rensselaer County) — Saint-Gobain and Honeywell manufacturing contaminated the public water supply with PFOA at extremely high levels, affecting thousands of residents; (2) Newburgh (Orange County) — PFAS from Stewart Air National Guard Base contaminated the City of Newburgh's water supply, requiring a complete water source switch; and (3) Long Island — extensive PFAS contamination from military bases (Grumman, Republic Airport), industrial sites, and historical dry-cleaning operations affecting Nassau and Suffolk County groundwater.
What should New York residents know?
New York has set its own MCL of 10 ppt for both PFOA and PFOS — one of the earliest state-level PFAS MCLs. This has driven extensive utility testing and treatment installation. New York State has also provided significant health follow-up, including blood testing programs in Hoosick Falls and Newburgh. The new federal 4 ppt MCL is more stringent than New York's current 10 ppt MCL, requiring additional action from systems that previously met the state standard.
Key Facts
| EPA MCL (PFOA/PFOS) | 4 ppt — effective April 2024 (more stringent than NY's own 10 ppt MCL) |
| New York MCL | 10 ppt PFOA, 10 ppt PFOS — one of first state PFAS MCLs (2020) |
| MCLG | Zero |
| Primary contamination sources | Hoosick Falls (Saint-Gobain industrial), Newburgh (Stewart ANG Base), Long Island (Grumman/Republic Airport/industrial) |
| Historical significance | Hoosick Falls case shaped national PFAS awareness and drove EPA rulemaking |
| State regulator | New York State Department of Health — aggressive PFAS regulatory program |
| Health effects | Cancer (kidney, testicular), thyroid disruption, immune effects, developmental toxicity |
| Effective treatment | GAC and RO; multiple NY utilities have installed large-scale PFAS treatment |
Why PFAS Matters in New York
New York's PFAS history shaped national awareness and policy. Hoosick Falls became a national symbol of industrial PFAS contamination — PFOA from the Saint-Gobain plant was detected at hundreds of parts per trillion in the town's water supply, and residents received letters advising them not to drink tap water while officials debated what action to take. The delayed official response in Hoosick Falls led to significant legislative and regulatory changes in New York. Newburgh's complete water source replacement following Stewart ANG Base contamination became another reference case. Long Island's PFAS contamination from the Grumman Bethpage aerospace manufacturing facility and Republic Airport has affected hundreds of thousands of people in Nassau and Suffolk counties.
Historical Context
Hoosick Falls became one of the first and most prominent civilian PFAS contamination cases in the U.S. When PFOA was discovered at hundreds of ppt in the town's water in 2015, the slow official response — including reassurances from state officials that were later contradicted by EPA — led to a major political fallout, congressional hearings, and significant changes to New York's PFAS regulatory approach. The case directly informed the EPA's process toward establishing an MCL.
New York PFAS Regulation
State MCL — Stricter Than Federal
10 ppt PFOA, 10 ppt PFOS — adopted 2020 by NYSDOH, stricter than the current federal 4 ppt for some compounds and with earlier compliance history.
New York DOH adopted 10 ppt MCLs for PFOA and PFOS in 2020, requiring utilities serving more than 10,000 people to test. The state has documented PFAS contamination at Stewart Airport (Newburgh/Cornwall area), affecting the city of Newburgh's water supply — one of the most-studied civilian PFAS crises in the country. New York enacted legislation requiring disclosure and restrictions on PFAS in consumer products and firefighting foam.
Largest New York Water Utilities
No PFAS violations on record in EPA SDWIS for New York utilities in our database. Browse the largest utilities to review their full water quality record.
What Are PFAS (“Forever Chemicals”)?
PFAS are a family of over 12,000 synthetic chemicals used in non-stick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics, food packaging, and AFFF firefighting foam. Their carbon-fluorine bonds do not break down in the environment or the body — hence the name “forever chemicals.” AFFF used at military bases is the single largest source of PFAS in U.S. drinking water.
Full PFAS overview — national data, health effects, all 50 statesWho Should Pay Closest Attention
Hoosick Falls and Rensselaer County residents, Newburgh and Orange County residents, and Nassau/Suffolk county Long Island residents near Grumman Bethpage, Republic Airport, and other industrial sites face the highest documented risk. New York City water (Catskill/Delaware watersheds) is tested for PFAS and generally shows low levels.
Residents near military bases with AFFF use history
Private well owners near military or industrial sites
Pregnant residents and families with young children
Residents in communities with documented PFAS detections
Anyone who has consumed water above 4 ppt for an extended period
Residents near airports, fire training areas, or industrial manufacturers
How to Check Your Situation in New York
- 1
Identify your water utility using the ZIP lookup below or by browsing the New York utility directory on this site.
- 2
Review your utility's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) — it must report PFAS monitoring results under UCMR5 and the new MCL.
- 3
Check the EPA's ECHO database for your utility's monitoring history. Look for PFAS, PFOA, PFOS, and related compound results.
- 4
Contact your utility directly and ask for their most recent PFAS test results and whether they are implementing treatment under the 2024 MCL.
- 5
If you use a private well near a military base, airport, or industrial facility, order a PFAS panel test from a state-certified laboratory. Tests typically cost $150–$400.
- 6
If PFAS is detected above 4 ppt in your source water, install a certified NSF/ANSI 58 reverse osmosis system or an NSF/ANSI 53-certified activated carbon filter rated for PFAS removal.
How to Remove PFAS from Tap Water
Reverse Osmosis (Best)
90–99% removal — NSF/ANSI 58 certified systems only
Certified Activated Carbon
Effective with NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 certification — verify before buying
Boiling concentrates PFAS. Standard pitcher filters and water softeners do not remove PFAS. Always verify NSF certification before purchasing.
Take Action Now
Look up your New York utility's PFAS monitoring history on the PFAS Watchlist below.
If your utility has detected PFAS above 4 ppt, install an NSF/ANSI 58-certified reverse osmosis system at your drinking tap.
Private well owners near military or industrial sites should order a PFAS panel test ($150–$400 at a state-certified lab).
Request your utility's most recent Consumer Confidence Report — PFAS results must be disclosed under the new 2024 MCL.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Pages
PFAS — National Overview
All U.S. utilities with PFAS records
New York PFAS Watchlist
Live utility PFAS monitoring data
New York State Overview
All utilities and water quality data
Reverse Osmosis Guide
Removes 90–99% of PFAS
Activated Carbon Filter Guide
NSF/ANSI 53/58 certified options for PFAS
Arsenic in Drinking Water
Another priority contaminant
All Contaminants
Complete reference library
Data Sources & Provenance
All data on this page is sourced from official U.S. government or public datasets.
Find Your Utility
State Regulator
New York State Department of Health ↗