Testing For Water Quality Contaminants In East Quogue, Quogue

QUOGUE, NY — A water quality advisory has been issued for private well owners in Quogue and East Quogue, according to health officials.

The Suffolk County Department of Health Services announced Thursday that it will be conducting private well surveys in an area of Quogue southeast of Gabreski Airport and in an area of East Quogue adjacent to the northeast boundary of Gabreski Airport.

SCDHS is seeking to sample private wells in those areas at no charge. Residents in the survey areas currently using a private well can take advantage of free bottled water as a precaution until results of their water tests are available.

Residents whose homes are connected to a public water supply do not need to have their water tested as the public water supply is routinely tested.

The announcement follows the detection of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, or PFOS, and perfluorooctanoic acid, or PFOA, in a groundwater monitoring well on the eastern area of the Gabreski Airport property, officials said.

Though it's currently unknown whether off-site groundwater downgradient of that eastern area of Gabreski Airport property is contaminated, the private well surveys are being conducted "out of an abundance of caution," officials said.

PFOS and PFOA are part of a class of chemicals known as PFAS, perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances; PFAS have been used in a number of industrial and commercial products such as firefighting foam, as well as coatings that repel water, oil, stains and grease, such as food packaging, water-resistant clothing and stain-resistant carpeting; officials said.

Individuals may be exposed to PFOS and PFOA through air, water, or soil from industrial sources and from consumer products.

The United States EPA has established a health advisory level for PFOS and PFOA in drinking water at a concentration of 70 parts per trillion. According to the EPA, health advisory levels are established to protect the most sensitive populations, including fetuses during pregnancy and breastfed babies, against potential adverse health effects from exposure to contaminants in drinking water.

Groundwater monitoring by the SCDHS related to a county-owned Brownfields site known as the Canine Kennel, located in the eastern area of Gabreski Airport, found elevated levels of PFOS and PFOA, officials said.

Based on the location of those detections, it appeared that the Canine Kennel site was not the source of the PFAS in groundwater, officials added.

Suffolk County, in coordination with the New York State Departments of Environmental Conservation and Health, also plans to conduct additional groundwater monitoring in that area of the airport property.

The private well survey in the vicinity of Quogue is located in the area bounded on the north by Bluejay Way, on the west by Peacock Path and the Quantuck Creek, south by the Quantuck Bay, Quogue Canal and the Shinnecock Bay and to the east by Heatherwood Lane and Quogue Riverhead Road. SCDHS estimates that approximately 33 properties with private wells are located in the designated area.

The private well survey in the vicinity of East Quogue is located in the area bounded on the north by Lewis Road and Gabreski Airport, on the west by Quogue Riverhead Road, Whippoorwill Lane and Peacock Path, to the south by Bluejay Way, Woodleigh Place, Sachem Lane and Damascus Road, and to the east by Lewis Road. SCDHS estimates that approximately 29 properties with private wells are located in that area.

The SCDHS would like to sample properties that are served with a private well in those areas at no charge to homeowners. Residents in that area who use private wells are advised to contact the SCDHS Office of Water Resources at 631-852-5810 to have their wells tested. The laboratory analysis for PFAS will be conducted by a private laboratory contracted by the DEC.

The New York State Department of Health has indicated that consumption, including drinking or cooking, is the primary exposure concern for PFAS in drinking water. Bathing and showering are not expected to be a concern even if PFAS are present in the water supply, officials noted.

The DEC is providing free bottled water to residents who live in the private well survey area described above, pending results from their private wells. Those who use a private well for drinking or cooking purposes and live in the survey areas can call 631-852-4820 to schedule a delivery of bottled water. Deliveries will typically be provided within 48 hours after calling to request bottled water.

Anyone with general questions about health effects of PFAS is advised to call the New York State Department of Health at 518-402-7950 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Residents who are unsure if they are served by public water may call the Suffolk County Water Authority at 631-698-9500.

Residents who have questions about private well water in Suffolk County may contact the SCDHS Office of Water Resources at 631-852-5810.

For additional information about PFAS, visit the SCDHS website here.

For more information on perfluorinated compounds, click here.

Patch photo courtesy SCDHS.