KINGSTON, N.Y. — Ulster County residents who rely on private wells for drinking water can once again apply for free PFAS testing and financial assistance to address contamination concerns through a New York State pilot program.

The New York State Department of Health has reopened applications for the Private Well PFAS Testing and Mitigation Rebate Pilot Program after temporarily pausing the program earlier this year. The program provides free testing for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS, and offers rebates for eligible mitigation measures if PFAS levels exceed New York State drinking water standards.

Ulster County is one of six counties participating in the pilot program, which County Executive Jen Metzger announced during her State of the County Address earlier this year. The initiative is being led by the New York State Department of Health, Department of Environmental Conservation and Environmental Facilities Corporation. The program is also active in Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Suffolk, and Westchester counties.

The program offers rebates of up to $5,000 for whole-house PFAS treatment systems, up to $10,000 for connections to public water systems where available, and up to $1,000 for point-of-use treatment systems in certain cases.

New York State identified several high-priority municipalities in Ulster County based on factors including well density, land-use patterns and potential sources of PFAS exposure. Those communities include Plattekill, Lloyd, Shawangunk, Wawarsing, New Paltz, Saugerties and Ulster, which are largely concentrated in the southern portion of the county.

However, residents anywhere in Ulster County may apply, even if they live outside the identified priority areas.

The program first opened in March but was temporarily paused in April after the state received more applications than expected. The pause allowed officials to complete pending well tests and assess available funding for mitigation rebates. With that work complete, the application portal has reopened.

“I’m very pleased to see the testing portal reopen,” said Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger. “The overwhelming response from our residents when the application opened in March shows the degree to which the public is aware of, and concerned about, the dangers of PFAS. This program makes it cost-effective for our residents to test their own wells and take remedial action if needed, and I want to thank Governor Hochul and our state partners for moving quickly to reopen the portal. I also want to thank Public Health Director Eve Walter and her team for their leadership in implementing this pilot locally and supporting residents throughout the process.”

PFAS are a group of chemicals used in a wide range of household and commercial products. The compounds can persist in the environment and have been detected in drinking water supplies across the country.

New York State’s drinking water standards for two of the most studied PFAS compounds — PFOA and PFOS — are 10 parts per trillion. Those levels are used to determine eligibility for mitigation rebates under the pilot program.

Residents may qualify if their drinking water comes from a private well in Ulster County. Property owners can apply for free testing, while tenants may also apply with a notarized property-owner acknowledgment.

Businesses with transient non-community water systems, including some parks, rest stops, convenience stores and restaurants that rely on their own wells, may also be eligible. Wells connected to known contamination sites already being addressed through a remediation program are not eligible.

Testing is conducted free of charge by New York State. If test results show PFOA or PFOS levels at or above 10 parts per trillion, eligible property owners may apply for rebates for approved mitigation options.

Funding is limited, and application periods may open or close depending on demand.

Applications can be submitted online at health.ny.gov/PrivateWellPFAS, which the state identifies as the preferred method. Paper applications are also available through the program website under the “Documents” section. Rebate applications must be submitted after mitigation work is completed.

Residents with questions can contact the program hotline at 1-800-616-9275 or email PrivateWellPFAS@hrpassociates.com. The Ulster County Department of Health can provide local assistance navigating the process at (845) 340-3022.

For more information and to apply, visit health.ny.gov/PrivateWellPFAS.

Image Credit: Office of Governor Kathy Hochul