The Suffolk County Water Authority on Thursday announced it is installing a new water treatment system for Huntington to remove the potentially cancer-causing chemical 1,4-dioxane from drinking water.

The chemical is designated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a likely human carcinogen. It is found in industrial solvents and in trace amounts in cosmetics, detergents, shampoos and other home care products.

Environmentalists applaud the county's efforts but say the state should do more to protect the public from the chemical.

The Water Authority says it'll cost $1 million to $1.2 million to install the treatment system in Halesite. Part of the cost will be covered by its rate hike approved last month.

The Halesite system will be the third in Suffolk County. The other two are located in Central Islip and East Farmingdale.