drinking water

Suffolk County Water Authority Achieves Full Compliance with Federal PFAS Standards Six Years Early

Suffolk County Water Authority Achieves Full Compliance with Federal PFAS Standards Six Years Early

Despite widespread PFAS contamination on Long Island, SCWA delivers treated water with no PFOA or PFOS above federal limits.

The Suffolk County Water Authority announced today that all treated water it supplies to customers is in full compliance with the federal drinking water standards for PFOA and PFOS—six years ahead of the 2031 compliance deadline set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

U.S. Navy seeks interviews with Grumman retirees as they probe cleanup of Calverton site

U.S. Navy seeks interviews with Grumman retirees as they probe cleanup of Calverton site

When Grumman closed its Calverton weapons plant in 1996, some 3,000 employees lost their jobs.

Now, the U.S. Navy is hoping to connect with those former employees — or family members — as officials search for missing puzzle pieces in the probe of contamination at the sprawling 6,000-acre site.

Port Washington Water District to treat 'forever chemicals' in well with new carbon system

Port Washington Water District to treat 'forever chemicals' in well with new carbon system

New York State has awarded another $5 million grant to the Port Washington Water District to build a granular activated carbon treatment system designed to remove PFOA and PFOS contamination from another of its wells.

The grant will help the water district, which serves about 9,400 households, provide “water that meets or exceeds any standard out there” for removing PFOA and PFOS chemicals, district superintendent Paul Prignano said in an interview.

Op-ed: A look at Zeldin's EPA leadership

Op-ed: A look at Zeldin's EPA leadership

Long Islander Lee Zeldin was thrust into the national spotlight with his nomination by President Donald Trump to be administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Trump said: “I have known Lee Zeldin for a long time, and have watched him handle, brilliantly, some extremely difficult and complex situations. I am very proud to have him in the Trump Administration, where he will quickly prove to be a great contributor.”

Organizations Join Forces to Support Next Step in Road Salt Reduction

Organizations Join Forces to Support Next Step in Road Salt Reduction

New legislation would establish New York State Road Salt Reduction Council and Citizen Advisory Committee to protect water, health, and communities

A coalition of environmental, municipal, and public health advocates is calling for swift passage of legislation (A.4481-A/S.6976-A) to establish a New York State Road Salt Reduction Council and Citizen Advisory Committee. This body would be tasked with implementing the recommendations published by the Adirondack Road Salt Reduction Task Force in 2023. The Senate passed a version of this bill in 2024, and is poised to pass the bill once again.

Senators Harckham and May Host Public Hearing in Albany on Harmful Algal Blooms

Senators Harckham and May Host Public Hearing in Albany on Harmful Algal Blooms

Highlights the need for action against HABs to protect New York State’s water bodies

Albany, NY – New York State Senator Pete Harckham, chair of the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee, and State Senator Rachel May hosted a public hearing on May 21 here at the State Capitol to evaluate the efficacy of New York State’s monitoring and management of harmful algal blooms (HABs) and to examine potential legislative solutions.

Trump administration moves to rescind, delay drinking water standards for PFAS 'forever chemicals'

Trump administration moves to rescind, delay drinking water standards for PFAS 'forever chemicals'

EPA administrator Lee Zeldin, a former Shirley congressman who spoke on Long Island last month, said the delayed deadline offers “common-sense flexibility in the form of additional time for compliance.” Credit: Newsday/Howard Schnapp

The Trump administration plans to rescind the federal limits on four "forever chemicals" in drinking water and delay the deadline for compliance for two others, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced Wednesday, weakening regulations of toxic contaminants that have been found in Long Island's water.

EPA to rescind and reconsider some PFAS standards, delay compliance deadline for others

EPA to rescind and reconsider some PFAS standards, delay compliance deadline for others

The federal Environmental Protection Agency today announced it is delaying by two years the deadline by which water systems must comply with maximum contaminant levels for PFOA and PFOS, two of the “forever chemicals” the agency set national standards for last year. 

Report: NYS faces high risk of PFAS in drinking water

Report: NYS faces high risk of PFAS in drinking water

Some New Yorkers are at a higher risk of exposure to forever chemicals in drinking water.

An Environmental Working Group analysis found 189 of the state’s water systems have PFAS levels above the federal standard but below New York’s standard.

The 2025 Trailblazers in Clean Energy

The 2025 Trailblazers in Clean Energy

Adrienne Esposito, the founder and longtime leader of Citizens Campaign for the Environment, has been launching new coalitions to further her environmental cause. One is Wind Works New York, whose diverse members are transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Another is the New York Clean Water Coalition, made up of water suppliers, wastewater treatment operators and environmental groups advocating for funding to upgrade sewage and drinking water infrastructure. Late last year, Esposito criticized the governor’s veto of the state Horseshoe Crab Protection Act, arguing that the species is subject to local extinction.

EPA ANNOUNCES UNPRECIDENTED DELAY AND ROLLBACK OF CRITICAL DRINKING WATER PROTECTIONS FOR DANGEROUS PFAS “FOREVER CHEMICALS”

EPA’s decision threatens the health of millions of Americans

For immediate release: May 14, 2025

For more information, contact: Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director, 516-390-7150, aesposito@citizenscampaign.org

Farmingdale, NY—Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a press release to announce its perilous intentions to delay implementation of critical drinking water standards for two types of PFAS chemicals—PFOA and PFOS—back an additional two years. Furthermore, EPA announced that it intends to rescind and reconsider the drinking water standards for four additional PFAS chemicals.

In April of 2024, EPA adopted the historic drinking water regulations for six PFAS chemicals, which set Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for PFOA and PFOS at 4 parts per trillion (ppt), MCLs for PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA at 10 ppt, and a combined standard known as a Hazard Index for PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA, and PFBS. These regulations established the first national enforceable drinking water standards for PFAS chemicals and were all set to be enforced in 2029.

In response to today’s announcement, Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment (CCE), released the following statement:

“This is a broken promise, betrayal of public trust and adds a significant threat to public health. We needed a federal mandate to remove “forever chemicals” out of our drinking water quickly.  Regrettably, what we have is an EPA that allows toxic chemicals to remain in our drinking water and dragging their feet on science-based standards needed to protect public health.   Peer-reviewed science has made clear that there is no safe level of exposure to PFAS in drinking water, and delays in acting puts public health at risk to serious health impacts, including cancer and liver damage.  This is clearly a decision that prioritizes saving money over saving lives.

While we are relieved that EPA is going to continue to defend its strong drinking water standards for PFOA and PFOS, the two-year delay is unnecessary and risky. Water suppliers were given five full years to comply, and billions of dollars were made available to help communities invest in the necessary drinking water treatment technology. Kicking the can down the road doesn’t make the problem go away or save any money—the longer we wait, the worse the problem will get, and the more expensive the solutions will become.

The science is abundantly clear that all PFAS chemicals put our health and drinking water at an unacceptable risk. Rescinding the standards for four additional PFAS chemicals often found in drinking water has no scientific justification and will put Americans at significant risk to serious health impacts for years to come.

As one of the first states to move ahead with drinking water standards for PFOA and PFOS, New York is well positioned to move ahead with stronger drinking water standards without delay. Now, more than ever, New York State must continue to lead the nation with public health protection. We are calling on New York to implement EPA’s original standards and timeline for all six PFAS chemicals. According to recent analysis by the Environmental Working Group, these standards would provide critical protections for at least 1.3 million New Yorkers, the majority of whom are on Long Island.”

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EPA ban, phaseout on cancer-causing chemical found in Long Island groundwater partially stalled by industry challenge

EPA ban, phaseout on cancer-causing chemical found in Long Island groundwater partially stalled by industry challenge

'Before we all drop dead'

A federal Environmental Protection Agency measure intended to ban and phase out TCE, a toxin commonly found in contaminated groundwater, including on Long Island, has been delayed, first by a Trump executive order and then litigation.

PFAS detected in multiple New York counties' public water supply, environmentalists say

PFAS detected in multiple New York counties' public water supply, environmentalists say

More than 1 million New Yorkers depend on public water systems for drinking water, and some are being exposed to manmade "forever chemicals" called PFAS, environmentalists say.

The tap water in New York is said to be safe to drink as it meets federal and state standards, but according to a study by the Environmental Working Group, as of March 2025, PFAS have been detected in public water systems in Westchester, Rockland, Nassau and Suffolk counties.

Defending the environment, for all of us

Defending the environment, for all of us

Adrienne Esposito is executive director and a cofounder of Citizens Campaign for the Environment, a nonprofit organization fighting for stronger environmental policies.

Herald: Tell me about yourself.

Esposito: I grew up in Copiague, and I literally grew up with one foot in the water and one foot on the land. As a kid, we went crabbing and fishing and to the beach, and my mom would bring us blueberry-picking in the Pine Barrens. And my dad was a really tremendous fisherman and outdoorsmen, so we grew up on the water. So I think that that really connects you to the natural world and impresses upon you the beauty of it and the need to protect it.

PFAS detected in multiple New York counties' public water supply, environmentalists say

PFAS detected in multiple New York counties' public water supply, environmentalists say

More than 1 million New Yorkers depend on public water systems for drinking water, and some are being exposed to manmade "forever chemicals" called PFAS, environmentalists say.

EPA could weaken PFAS rules putting drinking water at risk for millions

EPA could weaken PFAS rules putting drinking water at risk for millions

What It Means For Drinking Water

More than 1.3 million New Yorkers could lose critical protections from toxic “forever chemicals” in their drinking water if the Environmental Protection Agency weakens new federal PFAS standardsaccording to a report released Wednesday.

More than 1.3M New Yorkers at risk if EPA weakens PFAS standards

More than 1.3M New Yorkers at risk if EPA weakens PFAS standards

Administrator Lee Zeldin will decide fate of landmark ‘forever chemicals’ standards

ALBANY, N.Y. – More than 1.3 million New Yorkers could lose critical protections from the toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS in their tap water if the Environmental Protection Agency rolls back its historic, science-based PFAS drinking water standards.

What happened to the Lee Zeldin we knew?

What happened to the Lee Zeldin we knew?

It is said that time changes people, and so does power. Perhaps that explains the metamorphosis of Lee Zeldin as EPA administrator. Based on his work and dedication to protecting Long Island as a congressman, I hoped he would be a voice of reason and moderation to help fight climate change and protect our air, water and land resources. Recent announcements of unprecedented rollbacks to major environmental regulations have caused that hope to die.

Zeldin’s massive environmental deregulation plans: What will the changes mean for his native Long Island and former NY-1 constituents?

Zeldin’s massive environmental deregulation plans: What will the changes mean for his native Long Island and former NY-1 constituents?

Calling it “the most consequential day of deregulation in American history,” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin yesterday announced 31 actions he said will “advance President Trump’s Day One executive orders and Power the Great American Comeback.”