The group Citizens Campaign for the Environment is calling on the state Health Department to quickly implement new drinking water standards for three potentially dangerous chemicals - 1,4 Dioxane, PFOS and PFOA.
It's of concern to Bethpage and Calverton residents who live in communities with water wells impacted by toxic plumes. They rely on public drinking water.
The Health Department was expected to set the standards for the contaminants during a meeting in December, but that was moved to April.
Kelly McClinty, of Manorville, says she lives just about one mile from the former Grumman naval weapons plant in Calverton where a plume of industrial pollution continues to grow underground, according to health officials.
"The Navy has told us in no uncertain terms that they will not test our wells," she says. “It's something that you're anxious about on a daily basis."
For water suppliers who are unable to meet the standards, Esposito says the state is considering allowing a 2-3 year deferral process.
“We object to that,” she told News 12. “The technology for treating the PFOS chemicals is readily available. It's a proven technology. It's widely used."
Esposito says the PFOS are “so toxic that it’s measured in parts per trillion.” She says it's been at least a decade since drinking water safety standards have been changed in New York.
News 12’s efforts to reach the state Health Department for a comment have not been successful.