” Toxic PFOA & PFOS at levels above EPA guidelines were discovered in a well between Westchester County Airport and the Kensico Reservoir. The contaminated well supplies 1-3 New King Street, an office building located less than 1000 feet from the reservoir.
The contamination is likely coming from the airport because these compounds were once commonly used in airport firefighting foam. The finding is especially concerning because of the contaminated well’s proximity to both the Kensico Reservoir and to public water supply wells in Connecticut.
New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) informed Westchester County of the finding on July 25, 2017 and recommended that the occupants of the affected building drink bottled water until the contamination is remediated. The DEC and the Department of Health demanded that the county test 14 of its existing, but abandoned, groundwater monitoring wells. These tests will help determine where the contaminants are coming from and where they are flowing. The DEC further demanded that the county provide bottled water to & install a water treatment system for the affected office building.
Westchester County agreed to the DEC’s demands on October 6, 2017. The DEC approved the county’s plan to comply with its request on November 9, 2017.”
Read the full article at the Citizens for a Responsible County Airport Website.