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Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that $350 million is now available through the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act and the Intermunicipal Water Infrastructure Grant Program for municipalities with infrastructure projects that protect public health or improve water quality. The Governor also announced that New York's Health Commissioner, Dr. Howard Zucker, has accepted the New York State Drinking Water Quality Council's recommendations for maximum contaminant levels in drinking water for PFOA, PFOS and 1,4-dioxane, and has directed the Department to begin the regulatory process for adopting these enforceable standards. The levels of 10 parts per trillion for PFOA and 10 parts per trillion for PFOS are the most protective in the nation. The standard of 1 part per billion for 1,4-dioxane is the nation's first-ever level set for that contaminant. Once adopted, the Environmental Facilities Corporation and the Department of Environmental Conservation will closely coordinate with the Department of Health to help fund and remediate water systems that test above the new maximum contaminant levels.

"We're proposing the most protective levels in the nation for three emerging contaminants to ensure we are regularly testing and fixing water systems before they ever rise to a public health risk in any part of the state," Cuomo said. "New York State will continue to lead in the absence of federal action by ensuring all residents have access to clean drinking water and by investing in critical projects to assist municipalities in treating these emerging contaminants."

The state's recommended levels for PFOA and PFOS are significantly lower than the federal EPA's current guidance levels of 70 parts per trillion. Any potential health effects of concern for these contaminants primarily results after a lifetime of exposure to 70 ppt, not exposure over short periods of time. While the EPA does not have guidance on 1,4-dioxane, in accepting the Drinking Water Quality Council's recommendations, DOH used the best available science to determine a similarly protective level of 1 part per billion. Establishing such highly protective maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) and requiring every public water system to regularly test and monitor, regardless of their size, will ensure that contaminant levels never rise to the point of causing a public health risk.

Grant eligible projects for the $350 million in water quality improvement projects include those that combat emerging contaminants, such as PFOA, PFOS, and 1,4-dioxane, with system upgrades and innovative technologies, and those that address combined or sanitary sewer overflows impacts from flooding. The Governor also announced $27 million in grants to support nine Long Island projects that will remove emerging contaminants from drinking water. Under the leadership of Cuomo, New York State's 2017 Clean Water Infrastructure Act and the FY 2020 Enacted Budget make $3 billion available to address critical water infrastructure needs.

"It's critical that we ensure our drinking water is safe for all New Yorkers," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. "This process to tackle the serious issue of contaminants will address health needs to enhance and protect water quality. We want to make sure that communities have the resources they need to make upgrades to their water treatment systems and ensure the health and safety of residents."

To amend the state's drinking water regulations, a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the New York State Register has been submitted here and is expected to be published on Wednesday, July 24 when a 60-day public comment will begin. Public comments can be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Following assessment of public comments, the proposed regulation will either be revised or submitted for adoption by the Public Health and Health Planning Council, subject to the approval of the Commissioner of Health. The regulation will go into effect upon publication of a Notice of Adoption in the New York State Register. Once adopted, public water systems of all sizes would need to test their water within the specified timeframes, as outlined in the regulations, and comply with the adopted MCLs. Most water supplies will need to submit their first round of test results within three months of rule adoption.

The Nation's Most Protective MCLs for PFOA/PFOS Accepted
Dr. Zucker has accepted the Drinking Water Quality Council's recommendation to adopt MCLs of 10 parts per trillion (ppt) for PFOA and 10 ppt for PFOS. These levels are the lowest in the nation and take into consideration the national adult population's "body burden," or the fact that all adults already have some level of exposure to these and other related chemicals. PFOA is a chemical that has been used to make non-stick, stain resistant and water repellant products, and PFOS is a chemical that has been used in fire-fighting foam. The State has invested millions through the State Superfund program to install granular activated carbon filtration (GACs) systems that are successfully removing PFOA and PFOS from impacted water supplies in several communities. Ultimately, as with any environmental remediation, the State is holding those responsible accountable for any expenses incurred at state and local levels.

First in the Nation MCL for 1,4-dioxane Accepted
For 1,4-dioxane, the Commissioner has accepted the Drinking Water Quality Council's recommendation to adopt a first in the nation MCL of 1.0 part per billion (ppb). 1,4-dioxane is a chemical that has been used as a stabilizer in solvents, paint strippers, greases and wax. The State approved an effective new treatment technology for 1,4-dioxane called Advanced Oxidative Process (AOP), which is already being utilized by the Suffolk County Water Authority on Long Island.

Funding for Water Quality Infrastructure Projects

• To further bolster actions to protect communities' drinking water supplies and support infrastructure improvements statewide, the Governor announced the availability of $350 million. Municipalities are eligible to apply for funding for:
• Water Infrastructure Improvement Act Wastewater Infrastructure Projects: depending on the size of the project applicants may receive funding for up to 25 percent of net eligible project costs, or a maximum of $25 million, whichever is less.
• Water Infrastructure Improvement Act Drinking Water Infrastructure Projects: applicants may receive funding for up to 60 percent of net eligible project costs, or $3 million, whichever is less.
• Intermunicipal Water Infrastructure Grants Clean Water and Drinking Water Projects: applicants may receive funding for up to 40 percent of net eligible project costs, or $10 million, whichever is less.

Funding for Emerging Contaminants
The State Environmental Facilities Corporation, in collaboration with the Department of Health, has awarded $27 million to help Long Island communities upgrade drinking water treatment systems and address the emerging contaminants PFOA, PFOS and 1,4-dioxane. The grants will fund up to 60 percent of each project's cost, up to the grant maximum of $3 million. In addition, the projects are expected to support local jobs in construction, supplier, and service sectors.

To date, over $775 million in the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act and the Intermunicipal Water Infrastructure Grant Program funding administered by EFC is supporting over $2.7 billion in total project costs for vital drinking and wastewater infrastructure projects statewide.

Technical Assistance
Cuomo has directed the New York State Water Quality Rapid Response Team to provide immediate technical assistance to communities interested in assessing system needs and applying for grant funding. Additionally, DOH will offer technical assistance based upon its successful oversight of carbon filtration and AOP treatment systems in other parts of the state. This will include engineering consultation, establishing monitoring and operational protocols, and guidance for potential grant and loan financing options. Established by Cuomo in 2016, the New York State Water Quality Rapid Response Team continues to implement an aggressive protocol to reduce exposure to emerging contaminants in drinking water.

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