Michael S. Regan 16th Administrator, United States Environmental Protection Agency | Official Website
On May 13, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the State of New York commenced a significant drinking water infrastructure project in Hicksville, N.Y. The initiative involves the installation of a system to protect the community's drinking water from PFAS chemicals, also known as 'forever chemicals.' The project is funded by water infrastructure investments under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the New York State Water Infrastructure Improvement grant program.
"No matter where people live, they should feel confident about the water coming out of the faucet," stated EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. "This new system—along with other improvements under way and planned for this project—will give that assurance to the people of Hicksville."
Garcia was joined by U.S. Representative Tom Suozzi, New York State Department of Health Executive Deputy Commissioner Johanne Morne, and New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation Director of Program Management Máire Cunningham at Hicksville Water District’s Plant 6 where construction has already begun.
The effort to enhance Hicksville's system is backed by a $2 million Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Emerging Contaminants grant through the New York Drinking Water State Revolving Fund program and a $3 million New York State Water Infrastructure Improvement grant. Designed to meet EPA’s new final PFAS standards, the treatment system will be funded by these grants along with an additional $31 million in New York State grants awarded to date to Hicksville Water District for installing treatment systems at their water supply well sites.
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said: “Our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is supercharging the effort to clean-up our drinking water even while it creates good-paying jobs and boosts the Long Island economy." He added that he would continue advocating for more funding and safety improvements across Long Island.
Senator Gillibrand echoed Schumer's sentiments stating that she was thrilled about work beginning on this critical water infrastructure project. She emphasized that she would continue fighting for the resources needed to enhance public health and provide New Yorkers with access to safe drinking water.
The Hicksville Water District, which serves nearly 48,000 Nassau County residents, has detected PFOA, PFOS, and 1,4-dioxane in fourteen of their public water supply wells. The district has been blending the well water at the plant as a short-term measure to ensure that the tap water meets quality standards. As a long-term solution, they will install treatment to remove PFOA, PFOS, and 1,4-dioxane.
The pre-construction phase for the new treatment building has been successfully completed by Hicksville Water District. The project is currently on track for completion in June 2025.
On April 10 of this year, the Biden-Harris Administration issued the first-ever national legally enforceable drinking water standard to protect communities from exposure to harmful per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Exposure to PFAS has been linked to deadly cancers and impacts on liver and heart health as well as immune and developmental damage in infants and children.
