Acting State Environmental Commissioner Basil Seggos holds two industrial companies liable for the fouled drinking water in Hoosick Falls that was caused by a toxic chemical, as was stated last Thursday. New York lawmakers are now planning to hold hearings in April regarding the water quality issues.
According to ABC News, Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics and Honeywell International must enter into binding consent orders to sponsor a state Superfund cleanup. It was launched a month ago in Hoosick Falls, which is a small village found on the border of Vermont. The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), the agency that sent a letter to both companies informing them of the water cleanup, stated that other companies will be identified later and be held liable too.
"We will hold all companies responsible for groundwater contamination and make sure they pay all costs associated with the investigation and remediation of the source of the problem as well as assuring a usable drinking water source," Seggos said.
In December 2014, the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) informed the residents not to drink municipal water nor cook with it, after a private citizen revealed that the water system has been contaminated, wherein the local officials confirmed it after, Albani Business Review reported. The cause of the contamination was the chemical perfluorooctonaoic acid, also known as PFOA, which was used for decades in non-stick and stain-resistant coatings plus hundreds of other products.
The DEC was able to trace the source of the contamination, pointing out to the factory acquired by the village's biggest employer, Saint-Gobain. This company was previously operated by Honeywell's predecessor, AlliedSignal Laminated Systems, during the years 1986 to 1996, WSB Radio said.
Aside from the residents being advised to stop consuming water, some banks have also suspended lending for mortgages on homes located in the area. Businesses also needed to find ways in dealing with the fouled water.
As for Saint-Gobain spokeswoman Dina Pokedoff, she said that they will continue in cooperating with all parties involved, just like what they have been doing since they were notified about the Hoosick Falls PFOA-contaminated drinking water. In fact, they have been providing the residents with bottled water for free as well as offered to shoulder the expenses of a new carbon filtration system. Currently, it is being installed to help remove PFOA from the municipal water supply.
Honeywell spokeswoman Victoria Ann Streitfeld also stated that they have met with agency officials last Monday, extending their aid and assistance. "We are committed to continued cooperation," she added.
Hearings in the state Assembly on aging infrastructure and water quality come April would most likely include the Hoosick Falls fouled water issue. These hearings will help shed light on the people involved and when exactly did the contamination occur.
