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New York American Water Takes Immediate Actions On Emerging Compounds Ahead Of Pending Regulations From The New York State Department Of Health

Merrick, New York – To meet the New York State Department of Health’s (NYSDOH) pending regulations for emerging compounds 1,4-Dioxane and PFOA/PFOS, New York American Water is taking immediate actions to ensure the health and safety of customers across its New York service areas. The Company is not waiting for the final decision by the NYSDOH to act, and instead is working as quickly as possible to implement treatment as needed to ensure compliance with the proposed regulations when they are finalized.

Already, New York American Water meets and surpasses all federal, state and local drinking water standards, however, the Company is undertaking operational plans to enhance its water service to meet these proposed regulations set forth by the NYSDOH. An implementation date has not yet been determined by the state agency.

“At New York American Water, we are committed to ensuring the health and safety of our customers, which is why we are working proactively to address emerging compounds that appear in our service areas,” says New York American Water President Lynda DiMenna. “We have a dedicated water quality team that is focused on identifying the possible presence of emerging compounds and creating sustainable solutions to satisfy the proposed regulations.”

Ahead of final confirmation from the NYSDOH, New York American Water recently completed samplings of all water sources for 1,4-Dioxane and PFOA/PFOS and found that only four of 55 sites that provide water are impacted by the presence of these emerging compounds above the proposed Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs). The sites that will need to undergo mitigation measures include the Seamans Neck Well Station in Levittown, the Glen Head Well in Glen Head and the Dykeer System in Somers, NY. The Company is already taking steps to implement appropriate water treatment technology, such as Granular Activated Carbon vessels for PFOA/PFOS and Advanced Oxidation for 1,4-Dioxane, to meet the proposed MCLs should they be adopted by the NYSDOH. For the impacted areas, restrictions on outdoor irrigation may be necessary to reduce the stress on water supply while treatment is being installed.  

The Company has also filed a complaint in federal court against those parties responsible for the presence of emerging compounds that seeks to recover the company’s treatment cost.

“At the end of the day, we must provide our customers with safe, clean drinking water, and that starts with identifying the presence of emerging compounds in exceedance of the proposed MCLs and swiftly executing a treatment solution,” says New York American Water President Lynda DiMenna. “We want to reassure our communities that we will continue to make the investments needed and secure expertise and resources to uphold our high water quality standards.”

New York American Water will be sending out customer notifications on emerging compounds for each service area that outlines each area’s treatment plan if one is needed.

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New York American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water company in New York, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately 350,000 people.

With a history dating back to 1886, American Water is the largest and most geographically diverse U.S. publicly traded water and wastewater utility company. The company employs more than 7,100 dedicated professionals who provide regulated and market-based drinking water, wastewater and other related services to more than 14 million people in 46 states. American Water provides safe, clean, affordable and reliable water services to our customers to make sure we keep their lives flowing. For more information, visit nyamwater.com and follow New York American Water on Facebook and Twitter.