The safety and health of our community remain our highest priority. We want to provide residents with the latest available information regarding the ongoing investigation into PFAS contamination that may be associated with the 2023 battery energy storage facility fire at 3 Cove Hollow Road in East Hampton. While this region is just outside of the 10 – 25-year travel time for groundwater headed to Georgica Pond, it is within Suffolk County Water Authority (SCWA) public supply well field.
This remains an evolving situation. Government agencies including Suffolk County Department of Health Services (SCDHS), and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), continue to investigate the source, extent, and potential impacts of the contamination. While many questions remain unanswered, residents deserve timely, accurate information based on what is currently known.
What We Know Today
According to the Town of East Hampton, SCWA, SCDHS, and NYSDEC, recent testing identified the presence of perfluoropropionic acid (PFPrA), per and polyfluoroalkyl substance also known as PFAS or a large group of man-made chemicals also called “forever chemicals” because their strong carbon-fluorine bonds prevent them from breaking down easily in the environment or the human body. PFPrA is a short-chain member of the PFAS family has been detected at high levels in several public water supply wells near the Buckskill Road wellfield. Additional groundwater sampling has also detected other PFAS compounds, including PFOS, in the investigation area.
Although investigators are examining whether these detections may be related to the 2023 battery storage facility fire, the investigation is ongoing, and no final determination has been made regarding the source of all contaminants.
Is Public Drinking Water Safe?
According to Suffolk County Water Authority, residents who receive drinking water from the Suffolk County Water Authority can continue to use their water for drinking, cooking, bathing, and all normal household purposes. SCWA has removed the affected production wells from regular service and restricted the use of another well as a precaution. Water currently being delivered to customers meets all applicable New York State drinking water standards by utilizing unaffected wells within the water system. Importantly, while PFOS is a regulated compound for drinking water with both state and federal standards, PFPrA is not. As a short chain PFAS, it is less likely to have adverse health effects compared to long chain PFAS such as PFOS or PFOA.
What About Private Wells?
Private well owners within the identified investigation area may be affected differently than customers served by the public water system.
The Suffolk County Department of Health Services is conducting free testing of private wells within the investigation area and has been contacting homeowners directly. Residents who believe their property may be located within the affected area are encouraged to contact the Suffolk County Bureau of Drinking Water to determine whether testing is recommended.
If testing indicates elevated contaminant levels, health officials will provide guidance regarding next steps, including treatment options or connection to the public water system where appropriate.
Ongoing Response
Multiple agencies—including the Town of East Hampton, Suffolk County Department of Health Services, Suffolk County Water Authority, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and New York State Department of Health—continue to work together to:
- Protect the public drinking water supply.
- Expand groundwater and private well testing.
- Identify the source and extent of contamination.
- Develop long-term remediation strategies.
- Keep residents informed as new information becomes available.
In addition, Friends of Georgica Pond Science Advisor, Chris Gobler, is also Director of the NYS Center for Clean Water Technology. The Center has developed multiple novel and patented technologies that may be capable of helping to address this situation. The Center is already partnering with SCWA with regard to technology that removes PFAS from drinking water. It also has a new approach that completely destroys PFAS compounds in water. The Center has engaged the government agencies involved in this situation and hopes to be piloting their technologies in this region soon.
Staying Informed
We understand that many residents have questions and concerns. At this time, the investigation is continuing, and additional information will become available as more testing is completed.
We encourage residents to rely on information from official public agencies and to monitor updates from the Town of East Hampton, Suffolk County Water Authority, and Suffolk County Department of Health Services.
Most importantly, this is an evolving situation, and we do not yet have all of the answers. As new information is confirmed, we are committed to sharing timely updates with our community.
For the latest official information, please visit the Town of East Hampton’s Drinking Water Questions & Answers page: Town of East Hampton Drinking Water Questions & Answers