contamination

State extends deadline for Brookhaven landfill cleanup report

State extends deadline for Brookhaven landfill cleanup report

State environmental conservation officials have given Brookhaven Town an additional three months to recommend cleanup plans for a miles-long toxic plume emanating from the town landfill.

The Department of Environmental Conservation set a new May 1 deadline for finishing the report, which is expected to outline plans for cleaning up the landfill after groundwater testing in 2023 discovered so-called "forever chemicals" in the plume, which extends about 4 miles from Brookhaven hamlet south toward Bellport Bay.

How the EPA says cleanups are working at 5 Long Island Superfund sites

How the EPA says cleanups are working at 5 Long Island Superfund sites

Cleanup remedies at five Long Island hazardous waste sites "continue to be effective in protecting human health," the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said this week, though some of the toxic areas need continued monitoring. 

The agency conducted the federally mandated reviews at Superfund sites located in Glen Cove, Port Jefferson Station, Franklin Square and East Farmingdale. Across New York, New Jersey and Puerto Rico, 32 federal Superfund sites were appraised, which happen every five years, the EPA said. 

Excessive lead levels found in water at schools across Long Island

Excessive lead levels found in water at schools across Long Island

Testing is underway at dozens of Long Island schools after lead was found in the water in both Nassau and Suffolk counties. It comes after New York changed the acceptable levels of lead that can be found in school drinking water. NBC New York’s Greg Cergol reports.

Hundreds of schools across New York must remove their old water fountains

Hundreds of schools across New York must remove their old water fountains

Lead testing shows more than one-third of school buildings exceed the state's lead limit. CBS News New York's Carolyn Gusoff explains the numbers and what districts have to do next.

Dozens of Long Island school districts test positive for lead in water

Dozens of Long Island school districts test positive for lead in water

According to the state, more than 40 school districts in Suffolk County and over 20 districts in Nassau County have faucets or water fountains with lead levels exceeding the state’s newly enforced limit.

New data from the New York State Department of Health shows that dozens of Long Island school districts have tested positive for lead in their drinking water, prompting concerns among parents and advocates and requiring districts to take corrective action.

Elevated lead levels found in drinking water at Farmingdale schools

Elevated lead levels found in drinking water at Farmingdale schools

Water testing revealed elevated lead levels at several school buildings, prompting shutoffs, repairs, and plans to replace older fountains

The Farmingdale School District is notifying parents after recent testing found elevated levels of lead in drinking water at several school buildings.

SCWA Completes Phase 1 of Water Main Project

SCWA Completes Phase 1 of Water Main Project

The Suffolk County Water Authority (SCWA) has completed the first phase of one of their most ambitious projects in decades. The South River Road water main is set to bring clean water to residences in Calverton whose wells have been impacted by PFAS – otherwise known as “forever chemicals.”

Residents speak out at state energy plan hearing in Stony Brook

Residents speak out at state energy plan hearing in Stony Brook

On Sept. 29, a mix of grassroots organizers, student activists, utility workers, elected officials, and environmental professionals voiced varying priorities at the New York State draft energy plan hearing at Stony Brook University. The university saw multiple outdoor rallies in addition to 2 ½ hours of public comments on the 15-year plan, with concerns covering jobs, affordability, environmental safety, and more. 

DEC: Brookhaven must submit landfill cleanup plan after report cites dump as a source of toxic plume

DEC: Brookhaven must submit landfill cleanup plan after report cites dump as a source of toxic plume

Brookhaven officials have been ordered by state environmental authorities to prepare a landfill cleanup plan that could include closing the 51-year-old facility after an inspection earlier this year found elevated levels of so-called "forever chemicals" in a miles-long plume emanating from the dump.

Editorial: Federal money, not delays needed to protect the water we drink

Editorial: Federal money, not delays needed to protect the water we drink

No place could be more impacted than Nassau County by the EPA’s decision to postpone by two years the deadline for water utilities to comply with new federal water standards for PFAS until 2031.

These chemicals are dangerous, having been linked to a large number of illnesses – kidney cancer, testicular cancer, high cholesterol, immune suppression, thyroid disease, and pregnancy complications.

The Editorial Board: New Yorkers deserve better oversight of local waterways than the DEC is providing

The Editorial Board: New Yorkers deserve better oversight of local waterways than the DEC is providing

Attorney General Letitia James is right when she states: “Every New Yorker deserves clean, safe water.”

But it takes more than an assertion to make clean water happen. Fighting the pollution that continues to threaten the water we drink and area waterways that support wildlife and recreation takes leadership and aggressive measures from the state. It doesn’t look like we’re getting enough of either from New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation. 

Oyster Bay suit: Northrop Grumman 'concealed' extent of heavy metal contamination at Bethpage Community Park

Oyster Bay suit: Northrop Grumman 'concealed' extent of heavy metal contamination at Bethpage Community Park

After the discovery of chemical drums at Bethpage Community Park last year, Oyster Bay officials worried about the presence of hexavalent chromium, a cancer-causing toxin, in the soil near the drums, federal court records show.

They were concerned by what they saw: yellow and green sludge, a sign of chromium contamination, according to a filing in the town's lawsuit against Northrop Grumman, which seeks to accelerate and widen the scope of the plan to clean up the 18-acre property Grumman Aerospace used as a toxic dumping grounds for decades.

Governor Hochul Celebrates Record $3.4 Billion Investment in Water Infrastructure in State Fiscal Year 2025

Governor Hochul Celebrates Record $3.4 Billion Investment in Water Infrastructure in State Fiscal Year 2025

Environmental Facilities Corporation's Financial Assistance is Making Projects Affordable for New Yorkers, Safeguarding Drinking Water, and Improving Water Quality in Support of Nation-Leading Clean Water Goals. More Than a Half Billion Dollars Awarded to Local Governments that Worked with Governor Hochul’s Community Assistance Teams

Navy set to open treatment plant in September to contain Grumman plume

Navy set to open treatment plant in September to contain Grumman plume

The U.S. Navy is set to open a new treatment plant that is expected to help contain the extensive Grumman groundwater plume slowly moving south in Nassau County.

The Navy plant on Union Avenue, near Hempstead Turnpike in Bethpage, is expected to be operational in September, according to the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

Cheese manufacturer polluted water for months before Ischua Creek die-off

Cheese manufacturer polluted water for months before Ischua Creek die-off

Great Lakes Cheese often polluted Ischua Creek, data shows

It has been nearly a month since the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation began investigating wastewater discharge from Great Lakes Cheese that likely killed tens of thousands of fish and countless other aquatic species in Ischua Creek.

Down the Drain and Into the Aquifer: Long Island’s Septic Systems Just Got a Major Upgrade

Down the Drain and Into the Aquifer: Long Island’s Septic Systems Just Got a Major Upgrade

You flush and forget about it. But what goes down doesn’t just disappear. On Long Island, where it ends up has been a problem for decades. Outdated septic systems and cesspools leak pollutants into the groundwater. As a result, these aging systems pose serious threats to drinking water, the environment, public health, and the local economy. It’s been a long fight for change, but on July 23rd, Suffolk County took a huge step toward cleaner water.

Suffolk homeowners to get more money back to replace outdated septic system under new provision

Suffolk homeowners to get more money back to replace outdated septic system under new provision

Suffolk County homeowners will soon be able to upgrade to enhanced septic systems that reduce dangerous nitrogen pollution at a higher discounted rate, thanks to a surge of state funding announced Wednesday.

Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a bill Wednesday morning at Suffolk County Community College in Brentwood that increases the reimbursement rate for installation of an enhanced septic system to 75%, or up to $25,000. The governor also announced Suffolk County will receive $20 million in new grant funding it can use toward its Septic Improvement Program that provides homeowners $10,000 grants for the upgrade.

State expands septic grant program, increases funding for Suffolk County

State expands septic grant program, increases funding for Suffolk County

New York State is increasing funding for grants that Suffolk County residents can use to replace outdated septic and cesspool systems with newer, advanced systems that reduce the contaminants wastewater releases into the environment.

Gov. Hochul signs bill providing grants to New Yorkers for new septic systems

Gov. Hochul signs bill providing grants to New Yorkers for new septic systems

The goal is to make new and improved septic systems affordable to the public.

Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a new septic bill that would provide a $25,000 grant to people with old and polluting cesspools.

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