ICYMI: LI Water Purity A Bipartisan Issue Leading To Election Day

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — Water is a precious natural resource. It's to be expected that when one goes to drink water from a tap, it'll be clean and safe. That assumption could be at risk, particularly for Long Islanders.

Long Island has the most contaminated water in New York State, according to a May 2019 analysis of EPA data by New York Public Interest Research Group. In drinking water, there are three specific emerging contaminants: perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFO) and 1,4-dioxane. Long Island, by far, has the most cases of detection of these emerging contaminants found in drinking water, according to the report. Nineteen distinct emerging contaminants were detected overall.

"The mere existence of an emerging contaminant in a drinking water supply does not necessarily put consumers' health at risk; however, the presence of emerging contaminants should spur a rapid science-based response by public officials," the report states.

Ahead of the 2019 elections slated for Nov. 5, Suffolk County candidates, both incumbent and challenging, have taken growing concerns over the purity of Long Island's water to heart. Water has become a significant bi-partisan issue.

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