Ulster County residents who get their drinking water from private wells can now apply for free PFAS testing and, if contamination meets state thresholds, rebates to help pay for treatment or a public-water hookup, through New York State’s new Private Well PFAS Testing and Mitigation Rebate Pilot Program. Applications are open in Ulster County, one of six counties included in the pilot.
The program is led by the state Department of Health, Department of Environmental Conservation, and Environmental Facilities Corporation. It offers rebates of up to $5,000 for a whole-house treatment system, up to $10,000 to connect to public water where available, and up to $1,000 for point-of-use systems in certain cases. Eligibility for rebates is tied to test results meeting or exceeding New York’s drinking-water standards for PFOA and PFOS (colloquially referred to as “forever chemicals”).
County Executive Jen Metzger said the pilot follows through on a commitment she highlighted earlier this year. “PFAS contamination is a growing concern across the country, and this pilot provides our residents with free testing and meaningful financial support to keep their water safe,” Metzger said.
Ulster County Public Health Director Eve Walter said her office has heard from residents worried about contaminants and that the pilot “gives private well users access to testing and financial support that would otherwise be out of reach for many households.”
Applications are preferred online through the state portal, and residents can also call the state hotline at 1-800-616-9275 or the Ulster County Department of Health at (845) 340-3022 for help navigating the process.
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