NY Proposing New Rules On Drinking Water Contaminants

NEW YORK — New regulations for contaminants in drinking water are being proposed by the New York State Department of Health.

Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett said New Yorkers should know that their drinking water is among the most protected in the country.

“New York has been leading the way on emerging contaminants and [Tuesday’s] announcement represents another important milestone,” she said.

The proposed regulations are the department’s latest effort to address emerging contaminants in drinking water, such as PFAS or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

Health officials said this family of chemicals has been widely used for decades in waterproofing fabric, as fire suppression foam and in nonstick cookware, to name a few applications.

PFAS break down slowly in the environment and in certain cases have contaminated drinking water supplies, leading to concerns about exposure and health risk.

Officials said the proposed regulations would set new drinking water standards — or maximum contaminant levels — for four additional PFAS, that would require public water systems to reduce levels under the outlined requirements.

The new regulations would join those in place since 2020 that require reductions of the two categories of PFAS of highest concern: PFOA and PFOS.

If approved, the new rules would also require testing, reporting and public notification for 19 additional PFAS compounds.

The proposed regulations can be found beginning on page 16 in the New York State Register Wednesday. The public has until Dec. 5 to review them and submit comments.

At that time, the department will review the submitted comments, develop responses and propose a final rule for the Public Health and Health Planning Council to consider for formal adoption.

The Health Department also released a short video, called “From Source to Tap,” which describes how public drinking water is protected. View the video on this website.