Skoufis Applauds DOH Implementation of Stronger Standards for Drinking Water

**PRESS RELEASE**
Skoufis Applauds DOH Implementation of Stronger Standards for Drinking Water 

On July 2nd, Senator James Skoufis (D-Hudson Valley) stood with local elected officials and environmental advocates to call on the Department of Health (DOH) to implement the state Drinking Water Quality Council’s recommended water standards of 10 ppt MCLs for PFOA and PFOS chemicals. 

Finally, seven months after the Council set forth their recommendations, and merely days after being called on by Skoufis and the Newburgh community, DOH has committed to instituting these stricter standards. 
 

“Clean and safe drinking water is a human right, period,” said Senator Skoufis. “I’m thrilled that days after my community stood together to call for this action, the Department of Health is accepting these much-needed adjustments. It’s sickening that so many New Yorkers, especially in my district, have been afflicted by contaminated water and it’s about time New York State gets on board with tougher requirements. The City of Newburgh has been riddled with PFOS and PFOA contamination one too many times, and implementing the lowest MCLs possible is what we need. I look forward to continuing to work with the Department of Health and our local stakeholders in ensuring these new levels are quickly and efficiently implemented.” 

The Department of Health is going to have an open comment period from July 24th to September 22nd, at which time they will adopt these regulations. Skoufis remains committed to fighting for New Yorkers’ access to clean and safe water.

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