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Officials in Hempstead are calling for federal assistance after discovering elevated levels of the chemical 1,4-dioxane in all nine of the town’s wells. At a news conference, local leaders urged Washington, D.C., to help finance a new water treatment system to remove the carcinogen and other harmful PFAS chemicals from the water supply.
Mayor Waylyn Hobbs Jr. reassured residents that while the contamination is concerning, there’s no immediate need to panic. “We do not want to panic our residents, but we want them informed,” Hobbs said, highlighting that the current water system, more than a century old, is no longer adequate for ensuring the safety of the town’s drinking water.
Town engineers have confirmed that residents can still use the water for drinking and bathing, but there are no available filters for homeowners to mitigate the contamination on their own. As a precaution, the village board unanimously approved a $55 million bond to fund a new water treatment facility. However, Hempstead is calling on the state and federal governments to contribute, hoping to avoid placing the financial burden on local taxpayers.
Many residents voiced frustration over the potential costs. "It’s terrible that we have to pay for everything," said Ernestine Hamilton, while Barry Cullum added, "We shouldn’t have to foot most of the bill. It’s wrong." The project’s financial strain is particularly troubling to those on fixed incomes, like Ernest White, who commented, “It shouldn’t cost us that much money just to water the lawn.”
Governor Kathy Hochul’s office noted that the state had previously allocated $72 million to Hempstead for clean water initiatives but did not confirm whether that funding includes the new treatment facility. The village is hopeful that additional state or federal support will be forthcoming.
In 2019, Hempstead joined 25 other Long Island water suppliers in suing manufacturers that produced products containing 1,4-dioxane. The lawsuit alleges that the manufacturers knowingly allowed the chemical to enter groundwater, posing a long-term health risk to communities. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has classified 1,4-dioxane as a probable human carcinogen, reinforcing the urgency of addressing the contamination.
Source – CBS News
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