With Uncertain EPA, New York Democrats Push Plan To Protect Drinking Water

In order to protect drinking water in New York State, State Senate Democrats presented a new, seven-point plant. The plan call for the regulation contaminants, testing of all water supplies, and provisions for stronger infrastructure upgrades.

According to an article by Newsday, Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins said that “the plan would serve as a strategy to protect water locally in the face of an uncertain federal regulatory landscape in Washington, D.C., where at least one bill has been filed to eliminate the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.”

“It’s clear we need to take action now,” Stewart-Cousins said during a news conference at the Long Beach Water Authority. “We need to ensure these water resources are protected.”

The plan is focused on regulating the chemicals 1,4-dioxane and Chromium 6. 1,4-dioxane, a carcinogen, has been found in groundwater throughout the country. Recently, it had been located in Long Island, NY in 71 percent of water supply systems.

Last August, the U.S. EPA released a survey that showed 1,4-dioxane contaminated the island’s water and exceeded the national average. In January, U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand asked the EPA to “prioritize and accelerate” the risk evaluation for 1,4-dioxane.

According to the Environment News Service, both senators wrote a letter to the EPA’s acting administrator Catherine McCabe because of the dire situation.

Because of the recently passed Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) reform bill, 1,4-dioxane was named by the agency “as one of the first 10 chemicals to be evaluated for potential risks to human health and the environment.”

Last month, State Health Commissioner Howard Zucker said on Long Island “that Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and other officials urged the EPA to regulate 1,4-dioxane and if no action was taken within three months, New York would start to set a specific limit,” according to Newsday.

State Sen. Todd Kaminsky filed legislation directing Zucker to set a drinking water standard.

The Democrats’ plan also seeks to limit exposure to perfluorooctanoic acid, or PFOA, and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, or PFOS, in drinking water through state standards.

Scott Reif, spokesman for the State Senate Republican majority, said in an emailed statement to Newsday that the Senate Democrats’ report was “short on details.”

“The Democrats’ plan also calls on the state to look at contaminants under review or with health advisories from the EPA or other states to see if the state should take action,” per Newsday. “Expanding drinking water tests to all suppliers statewide is also mentioned.”