East Hampton groundwater contamination sparks calls for state cleanup
County Health Commissioner Gregson Pigott said the contaminant identified in the groundwater is a short-chain PFAS compound.
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Suffolk County officials are urging New York state environmental regulators to address groundwater contamination discovered in East Hampton after testing revealed elevated levels of a chemical similar to PFAS, the class of compounds commonly known as “forever chemicals.”
County Health Commissioner Gregson Pigott said the contaminant identified in the groundwater is a short-chain PFAS compound.
While county health officials say they do not yet fully understand the potential health effects associated with the contaminant, county leaders are calling on the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to take action once the source is identified.
As a precaution, the Suffolk County Water Authority has removed several public wells from service. Officials also estimate that nearly 30 private wells in the area could be affected.
County health officials are contacting residents with private wells and offering testing.
“We have been reaching out to those who have private wells in the area asking if they want their water tested,” Pigott said.
Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine and the Suffolk County Water Authority contend the contamination is linked to a fire at a battery energy storage facility in East Hampton three years ago.
“This all came from the battery energy storage without a doubt,” Romaine said.
State environmental officials, however, say it is too early to determine the source of the contamination.
“Right now, there’s no indication that anyone’s being exposed to this contaminant,” said Andrew Guglielmi, with the New York State DEC.
The agency said nine private wells tested in the area showed no elevated levels of cancer-causing chemicals, and investigators continue to collect samples throughout the community.
“Once we understand where it’s coming from and where it is, we want to develop a plan for how to remediate that contamination,” Guglielmi said.
County officials said the investigation is expanding beyond groundwater. Testing is now being conducted in nearby ponds to determine whether the chemicals have spread to surface water.
The DEC said additional testing and analysis will be needed before officials can determine the source of the contamination and develop a long-term cleanup strategy.
