Some politicians and environmentalists are urging the state to do more to protect drinking water following a disturbing new report on contamination issues.
A group of GOP lawmakers says that the state’s Drinking Water Quality Council isn’t doing enough to safeguard New York’s drinking water supplies.
They are calling on the council to get back to work in setting standards for harmful contaminants.
The call to action comes as the state comptroller released a water quality report calling on the state to do more to monitor drinking water contaminants.
The state audit raised several concerns.
Environmentalist Adrienne Esposito says toxic chemicals such as 1,4-dioxane, PFOA and PFOS have been discovered in 39 water districts throughout the region.
The chemicals have been linked to cancer and other illnesses.
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"What we’re saying is that the governor has got to call this commission back to work with the water districts to set proper standards and proper levels so that they can proceed and do their job," said Sen. Carl Marcellino, of Oyster Bay.
The state Health Department issued a statement, which read in part that it remains focused on setting protective maximum contaminant levels for federally unregulated chemicals in drinking water.