A more permanent solution has been proposed in the Hoosick Falls water crisis. 

"This is one of the obvious clear steps in the cleanup process and this is something the community said they wanted to see," said New York state Department of Environmental Conservation Chief of Staff Sean Mahar.

The DEC released five suggestions Thursday on potential long-term drinking water sources beyond their current wells, and they want those who live there to weigh in.

"This is their community that's obviously been impacted by this and we didn't want to select something for them. We wanted to know what the options were and we wanted put it out to the community to hear their feedback," Mahar said.

These include a new groundwater, surface water source, or a new connection with the city of Troy's water system. Two of the last options maintain what the village already has in place: Using the same system but focusing on treatment.

"We know they are getting clean water everyday but this study is something we wanted to do long-term to look at other options," Mahar said.

Because Hoosick Falls is designated as a Superfund site, it means Honeywell and Saint-Gobain will be the ones footing the bill for the water source. 

"We've done a lot of work to isolate the areas of contamination in the community, we know exactly where they are. We have the companies under direct orders for their cleanup plans," Mahar said.

The DEC hopes to hear from the community to help make the permanent decision so they can be confident the water they are drinking is safe.

"So we're going to keep engaging the community in every step of the process, to make sure we're getting this right for them, because that really is our goal," Mahar said.

The DEC is joining the town of Hoosick, the village of Hoosick Falls, and the Hoosick Falls community participation work group at two availability sessions for residents to weigh in on these potential solutions. Those are taking place at the Hoosick High School next Wednesday at 3 and 7:30 p.m.

The entire study can be found on the DEC's website.