New Yorkers Have ‘Serious’ Concerns About Their Drinking Water Quality

A new survey found that more than half of the New Yorkers questioned found the condition of their drinking water to be a “very serious” problem.
Siena College Research Institute conducted a poll of 526 likely voters in New York’s 1st Congressional District, which is located in eastern Long Island, between October 13 and October 17. The poll posed questions on myriad topics, such as energy costs, thoughts on the nation’s economy and personal finances. When it came to the quality of the drinking water, more than half of those surveyed said they considered Long Island’s drinking water to be a “very serious” problem.
Both Republicans and Democrats voiced their concerns about the drinking water, with more than half of survey takers from each party saying the quality was a “very serious” problem. Nearly 30 percent of likely voters said it was a somewhat serious problem, putting the total percentage of likely voters feeling the problem was “serious” at 83 percent. Sixteen percent of voters felt the problem wasn’t serious.
The poll comes as cities around the nation take a closer look at the quality of their drinking water. Some have considered raising water rates to pay for things like new nanofiltration systems to reduce the levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS, in the water supply.
Meanwhile, municipalities also are working to replace lead pipes contributing to poor water quality. In September, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced $90 million in state grants to improve New York’s drinking infrastructure by replacing lead service lines, although Long Island was not included in the communities receiving the funds.
Newsweek reached out to Hochul’s office by email for comment.
Concern about the quality of Long Island’s drinking water is not new. Earlier this year, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) published a study revealing the threat of saltwater infringing upon groundwater in western Long Island.
In May, Mayor Waylyn Hobbs, Jr. issued an emergency plea to the federal government after officials found concerning levels of 1,4-dioxane, a possible carcinogen, in Hempstead Village’s water supply. Hempstead Village is located on Long Island.
Hobbs, Jr. requested for the federal government to cover the cost of a new water treatment system. In September, the Nassau County Legislature approved a $1.75 million allocation to the village to start on the project, the Long Island Press reported.
An alarming amount of PFAS also were detected in Long Island’s drinking water, according to a December 2022 report by CBS News.