ALBANY, N.Y. -- Environmental groups are cheering a renewed focus on water quality from state officials. It's a silver lining in an otherwise increasingly glooming picture of chemical contaminations in upstate New York communities.
"New York state has been seen as a leader on evironmental issues in this country and we really think now is a time for New York state to shine and make water testing a priority," said Elizabeth Moran, a water and natural resources associate with Environmental Advocates of New York.
Those steps should include grants for water infrastructure upgrades and a boost in funding for the Department of Environmental Conservation after years of virtually flat budget increases.
"We really want to see a statewide action plan to come out of these hearings," Moran said. "That includes things like making sure agencies like DEC are properly funded. They've had flat-line budgets for a number of years and the demands on them have only grown over the years."
The focus comes as communities across the state are grappling with water contamination problems, including Hoosick Falls, Petersburgh and Newburgh. State lawmakers have held three hearings on water issues over the last several weeks, and Gov. Andrew Cuomo this month signed legislation that would require all schools to test for lead in school drinking water. That bill was passed at the end of the legislative session.
"The more we learn about our water in all different dimensions, the more reason we have to be concerned, quite frankly," said Cuomo, D-New York. "We want to start with our children and making sure our children are safe and that starts with the schools and the water coming out of the fountains."
The governor is being urged to do more. While the Cuomo administration is pushing the U.S. EPA to test all drinking water sources for dangerous chemicals, environmental groups say the state should take action.
"The steps the state has taken are really significant steps forward, but we do need to see a lot more done," Moran said. "It's concerning the governor's administration says we need the federal government to act. New York state is seen as a water quality leader and we really need the state to act now.