Ulster County Launches PFAS Testing, Mitigation Rebate Pilot Program

KINGSTON, N.Y. — Ulster County residents who rely on private wells for drinking water can now apply for free testing for PFAS, a group of persistent chemicals found in some household and industrial products, and receive rebates for treatment systems under a new pilot program.

The program, part of New York State’s Private Well PFAS Testing and Mitigation Rebate Pilot, is available to property owners when PFAS concentrations meet or exceed state drinking water standards. Rebates cover up to $5,000 for whole-house treatment systems, $10,000 for public water connections where feasible, and $1,000 for point-of-use systems in limited cases.

Ulster County is one of six counties participating in the pilot, along with Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Suffolk and Westchester counties, which have high numbers of private wells potentially affected by PFAS contamination.

County Executive Jen Metzger announced the program during her State of the County address in February.

“PFAS contamination is a growing concern across the country, and this pilot provides our residents with free testing and meaningful financial support to keep their water safe. I’m grateful to Governor Hochul for championing this effort and to our state partners for making this important program possible. I also want to thank Public Health Director Eve Walter and her team for leading this pilot in our County, and for their dedication to protecting our residents’ right to clean water, as enshrined in the New York State Constitution,” said Metzger.

Ulster County Public Health Director Eve Walter said, “Our department has heard from many residents who are understandably concerned about PFAS in their drinking water.” Walter said the program helps private well users access testing and mitigation resources that might otherwise be out of reach.

State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said the pilot reflects New York’s commitment to protecting the health of residents relying on private wells.

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, have been linked to health concerns and persist in the environment. New York’s drinking water standards for the most studied PFAS chemicals, PFOA and PFOS, are set at 10 parts per trillion.

Property owners in Ulster County can apply for free testing. Tenants may apply with a notarized property-owner acknowledgment. Some businesses with non-community water systems, including restaurants and convenience stores with private wells, may also qualify. Wells already part of remediation programs are not eligible.

Testing is provided free through New York State. Property owners whose water exceeds the standards may apply for rebates after completing mitigation work. Funding is limited, and application periods may open and close depending on demand.

Applications are available online at health.ny.gov/PrivateWellPFAS. Paper applications can also be downloaded from the site. For assistance, residents can call the program hotline at 1-800-616-9275, email PrivateWellPFAS@hrpassociates.com, or contact the Ulster County Department of Health at (845) 340-3022.

Image: A water researcher tests a sample of water for PFAS at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Center For Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response in Cincinnati, on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel, File)