Long Island Drinking Water Has ‘By Far’ Most Contaminants In NY, Research Group Says

The May 28 “What’s in My Water” report notes that nearly 16 million New Yorkers are served by water systems that detected one or more contaminants under the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR3).

While it is unclear whether some of these detections present a direct health risk, the report highlighted that certain contaminants were found at levels above the Environmental Protection Agency’s health advisory levels.

Long Island was noted to have the highest number of systems with detections, followed closely by the Hudson Valley and Western New York regions, according to the review.

Long Island had the greatest number of systems detecting emerging contaminants. A total of 19 distinct emerging contaminants were identified. Strontium was detected most frequently, followed by chromium-6, chlorate, chromium, and 1,4-dioxane.

Nassau County was found to have the most systems with detections. Contaminants such as 1,4-dioxane, PFOA, and PFOS were detected in both Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

1,4-dioxane, an industrial solvent, has been widely used and, over time, has contributed to widespread contamination in drinking water. Studies indicate that exposure to 1,4-dioxane may be linked to liver cancer and chronic kidney and liver damage, with the EPA designating it as a likely human carcinogen.

Additionally, PFAS compounds, including PFOA and PFOS, were detected in Suffolk County. These chemicals can be harmful at very low levels and have been associated with developmental issues, thyroid disorders, ulcerative colitis, high cholesterol, preeclampsia, as well as kidney and testicular cancer.