Checking New York Water Quality and Dam Safety

OSSINING, NY — In light of the Oroville, California dam crisis, New York State Senator David Carlucci introduced on Wednesday a bill to authorize a study of the safety and condition of New York’s water supplies and infrastructure.

Primarily the bill is concerned with water quality, but the condition of the infrastructure is also a priority.

"There are several proposals to put billions of dollars into water infrastructure that would help prevent dam damage like we just saw in California," said Carlucci. "In addition to prioritizing these investments I am also introducing legislation that will require the DEC and DOH to conduct a study on the safety of water quality and water infrastructure. These two actions put together will allow the money to be targeted to the infrastructure that is most in need of repair."

To address the problems, not just those in Hoosik Falls or in Newburgh, the state must be proactive, he said. The new bill requires a report within 12 months.