Free Testing For Private Wells Near Former East Hampton Landfill

EAST HAMPTON, NY — The Suffolk County Department of Health Services will conduct free water quality testing, as a cautionary measure, for private wells in the Springs-Fireplace Road corridor.

The area is near the now-closed East Hampton landfill and several vegetative organic waste management operations, town officials said in a release.

"East Hampton Town supports this effort to ensure that residents on private wells have safe drinking water," a release from East Hampton Town Supervisor Peter Van Scoyoc said. "The town has taken action to initiate groundwater monitoring at or near industrial sites, including mines, and the county effort will provide important data."

Levels of iron and manganese above drinking water standards have been found near vegetative organic waste management operations in other areas, according to the health department.

Regular monitoring of groundwater test wells on and surrounding the landfill property has been conducted since 1997 by engineers engaged by the town, and has shown steadily decreasing levels of the chlorinated volatile organic compounds that emanated from the landfill before its closure, two officials said.

Recent results show that only one test well, located on the landfill property, continues to show volatile organic compound, or VOC, contaminant levels above state water standards, the town said.

Residents whose homes are connected to a public water supply do not need to have their water tested as the public water supply is routinely tested, the county said.

Groundwater monitoring at other vegetative organic waste management operations has found elevated concentrations of iron and manganese above drinking water standards; also, chlorinated solvents have been detected above groundwater standards in some on-site groundwater monitoring wells at the landfill, the county said.

"This private well survey is being conducted out of an abundance of caution," county officials said.

The private well survey is shown above and includes the area between Three Mile Harbor Road and Accabonac Road, Floyd Street to the south and Copeces Lane to the north.

Initially, properties closest to the composting operations and the landfill will be sampled beginning the week of September 23. Outreach to all property owners within the entire private well survey area is expected to be conducted over the next 12 to 14 weeks, the county said.

Residents who are unsure if they are served by public water may call the Suffolk County Water Authority at 631-698-9500. Residents who have questions about private well water in Suffolk County may contact the SCDHS Office of Water Resources at 631-852-5810.