Hoosick Falls And Petersburgh Spotlighted
By Doug La Rocque
The NYS Department of Health (DOH) should continue to improve how it informs the public of potential hazards in public drinking water systems and ensure proper actions are being taken to protect residents. This is according to an audit released on Tuesday, September 24, by NYS Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.
In his press release, the Comptroller says “safe drinking water is a basic need and, as we have learned in the wake of the widespread problems in Hoosick Falls and Newburgh, the state must step up its efforts to protect New Yorkers from harmful contaminants. Our auditors found the state should redouble its efforts to monitor emerging contaminants in New York’s drinking water, notify the public when there are problems and ensure that when contamination of water occurs it is addressed.”
Specifically, the audit noted that when water safety violations occurred, in 46 percent of the reports sampled, the district DOH or local county Health Departments, failed to take appropriate or timely action to hold water systems accountable for required followup, such as notifying the public. These included six incidents that had the potential to result in acute or serious adverse health effects with short-term exposure, for which notification is required within 24 hours.
The audit concludes that the State must prioritize actions to regulate emerging contaminants with known adverse health effects and ensure the prompt reporting of such.
Both DOH and the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation came under intense criticism for their handling of the PFOA crises in Hoosick Falls.
The Republican candidate for the 43rd State Senate District, Daphne Jordan, also weighed in on Tuesday, calling for the Governor Andrew Cuomo Administration to “stop its bureaucratic delays and implement new drinking water safeguard to protect the health and safety of Hoosick Falls and Petersburgh families, as well as all New Yorkers. Ms. Jordan is supporting a NYS Senate action plan that calls for restarting “the stalled process” required to set state standards for PFOA and other toxins, and to ensure local governments have access to the funds needed to remove drinking water contaminants, and improve public notification about emerging health threats.
The Eastwick Press also reached out to the Democratic candidate for that Senate seat, Aaron Gladd, who sent us this statement. “The water situation in Hoosick Falls is a major concern of mine. I’ve sat down with residents and have been attending local meetings because I want to make sure that these communities aren’t being left behind. That’s why I introduced a comprehensive water quality plan to fight for drinking water standards, maximum contaminant levels, and a $5 billion water infrastructure investment. Upstate New York needs someone who is willing to fight for them, not just talk.”
Both Mr. Gladd and Ms. Jordan are vying to replace Senator Kathy Marchione, who has decided not to seek re-election.