New York State Senator Pete Harckham and Assemblymember Chris Burdick today announced a new state initiative to help homeowners test for and remove perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from private wells through New York’s PFAS Removal Treatment Rebate Program.
The new rebate program is based on legislation sponsored by Harckham and Burdick (S3972/A216), directing the Department of Environmental Conservation to reimburse private well owners for PFAS testing and, if contamination exceeds state standards, for the installation of filtration systems or connection to a nearby public water supply.
PFAS are a class of several thousand man-made chemicals that have been linked in numerous studies to serious health conditions, including thyroid disease, liver damage, kidney cancer, and other adverse effects. Often referred to as “forever chemicals,” PFAS do not break down naturally in the environment and can accumulate in the human body over time.
“Nothing can be more important than the health of our residents,” Burdick said. “Homeowners need to know whether their water is safe, and if not, that removing PFAS can be done without undue financial burden. I couldn’t be more pleased that we were able to secure these funds in the 2025-26 budget and that the pilot program has now gone into effect.”
“PFAS are among the most persistent and dangerous chemicals in our environment, and we must act decisively to protect residents from these ‘forever chemicals,’” Harckham said. “No family should have to face this crisis alone. Cleanup is extraordinarily costly, and it is unacceptable to force homeowners to bear that burden to protect their health. Access to clean water is a fundamental right, and this program ensures communities are protected without placing additional financial strain on families.”
New York was the first state in the nation to regulate PFAS in public drinking water at 10 parts per trillion. While these nation-leading standards protect residents served by public water systems, they have not previously applied to private wells, which supply drinking water to approximately one million New Yorkers.
Private wells are just as vulnerable to PFAS contamination as public systems, yet the costs of testing and installing advanced treatment systems can be prohibitive. A recent study by the United States Geological Survey estimated that 56% of private well owners in New York may be affected by PFAS contamination, though many remain unaware due to the high cost of testing.
The issue came to Harckham’s attention in his hometown of South Salem in Northern Westchester, where many residents rely on well water. After hearing from neighbors struggling with the cost of maintaining safe drinking water, Harckham partnered with Burdick to pursue state-level support.
In the FY 2025–2026 State Budget, the two legislators secured a $15 million allocation through the Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) to establish the rebate program. The EFC will administer and distribute the funding.
Under the program, individuals may be reimbursed:
- Up to $5,000 for PFAS filtration systems
- Up to $10,000 to connect to a public water system
- Up to $1,500 for ongoing testing and maintenance
The initiative is designed to encourage well owners to address potential PFAS contamination with the assurance of financial support.
“Families who depend on private wells did not create the PFAS crisis, yet they are being asked to bear the financial burden of detecting and treating these dangerous forever chemicals,” said NYS Association of Counties (NYSAC) Executive Director Stephen J. Acquario. “We commend New York State for making this critical initial investment to help private well owners test and treat their water. This program will reduce exposure to harmful contaminants, protect vital groundwater resources, and prevent PFAS from spreading to future generations.”
During its first year, the program will operate as a pilot in six counties: Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Suffolk, Ulster and Westchester. Of the $15 million total, $3 million will be dedicated to testing and $12 million to mitigation rebates. Each participating county will receive $1.5 million in initial funding, totaling $9 million, with the remaining $3 million held in reserve to address additional needs.
“Millions of New Yorkers that rely on private wells lack vital drinking water protections including over 100,000 from Suffolk County,” said Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director at Citizens Campaign for the Environment.“Many private well owners with toxic PFAS “forever chemicals” in their drinking water cannot afford to test their well water and pay thousands of dollars to install and maintain treatment technology. This program will provide a critical lifeline to these families by helping them detect and remove toxic chemicals in their drinking water. We thank Senator Harckham and Assemblymember Burdick for championing this program in last year’s budget, and we look forward to seeing this important program continue and grow in the future.”
The rebate initiative builds on New York’s broader efforts to eliminate PFAS exposure and protect public health, including banning PFAS in certain consumer products and emergency equipment, expanding statewide testing and increasing funding for mitigation and remediation projects.
