New York Governor Directs Health Department to Adopt MCLs for PFAS and 1,4 Dioxane

On July 8, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced a directive for the State Department of Health to move forward with adopting Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for PFOA, PFOS and 1,4-Dioxane; and funding for water system infrastructure to help address these compounds. The proposed MCLs are based on the NY Drinking Water Quality Council’s recommendations for: 10 parts per trillion (ppt) for PFOA and PFOS individually, and 1 part per billion (ppb) for 1,4-Dioxane.

The next step is for the state to issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that includes a 60-day public comment period, expected to begin on July 24 and close on September 23, 2019. Once the MCLs are adopted, the state’s agencies will work together to help fund improvements for water systems that test above the new MCLs. This funding includes $350 million for water quality improvement projects and $27 million in grants for nine projects in Long Island. For more information, view Governor Cuomo’s announcement.