Thursday marks 500 days since residents in Hoosick Falls learned of the PFOA contamination in their water. And while they say the state has made moves to ensure safe drinking water for the community, residents say there is still much more to be done. Nick Reisman was at a news conference held by residents, and has the details.
HOOSICK FALLS, N.Y. -- Hoosick Falls residents pushing Governor Andrew Cuomo on Thursday to provide an alternative drinking water source for residents who have private wells. They point to $450 million within a $2.5 billion clean water program approved in the state budget.
“We need $25 million. It's not a lot of money. There's $450 million in a slush fund that can be allocated this afternoon for clean water for Hoosick Falls,” said Michele Baker, a Hoosick Falls resident.
“We have the state's superfund law which we worked on the past two years ago -- $1 billion over 10 years. That's the fund we used to address all the needs in Hoosick Falls and that's what we're using to address the water supply,” said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said.
And Thursday marks the 500th day after Hoosick Falls residents discovered the PFOA contamination in their drinking water and were disappointed no specific allocation was included in the budget for their community.