State steps in to help Newburgh’s water contamination problem
The state is stepping in to help with a major water contamination problem in Newburgh that has forced officials to tap in to New York City's water supply. Newburgh Mayor Judy Kennedy says readings
News 12 Staff
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Jun 9, 2016, 2:15 AM
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Updated 2,887 days ago
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The state is stepping in to help with a major water contamination problem in Newburgh that has forced officials to tap in to New York City's water supply.
Newburgh Mayor Judy Kennedy says readings of the toxic chemical PFOS, found largely in cleaning supplies, is now twice the amount considered safe by the Environmental Protection Agency.
The toxic discovery was first found in 2014, but Kennedy says that EPA standards were higher then, so drinking it was still considered safe.
The city stopped using its Lake Washington Reservoir last month where the chemical was found, and began using a temporary backup supply.
Water is now running out, forcing the city to tap into New York City's aqueduct at nearly $250 million per day.
The state has offered to foot the bill for the water swap while city officials find the source of the contamination.
