Environmentalists are applauding a court ruling that cleared the way for groundwater testing wells at the Sand Land mine in Bridgehampton.

Wainscott Sand and Gravel, which runs the site, faces accusations of illegally operating a solid waste processing facility. The company involved also has been accused of operating outside of its DEC permit.

In 2015 surface water testing near the property found heavy metal and pesticide contamination. It's unclear how far the contamination may have spread.

"Any contamination on the surface is going to seep into our groundwater and also end up in our marine environment," says Adrienne Esposito, an environmentalist.

Suffolk County will install a total of 10 wells on the property this week and expects initial test results within eight to 12 weeks, officials say.

Wainscott Sand and Gravel has already been conducting tests on the water, according to an attorney for the company.