PFAS Threat
What is PFAS
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a diverse group of thousands of chemicals used in hundreds of types of products. PFAS in the environment can enter the food supply through plants and animals grown, raised, or processed in contaminated areas.
Source: U.S. FDA
Data backing the PFAS threat
EWG (Environmental Working Group) has released a study that looks at the science and concludes that the standard for PFAS chemicals in drinking water that would fully protect children's health is 1 part per trillion, far below EPA and most state guidelines/standards.
Most recent threat from the Airport
In February, 2024, the county approved construction by Westchester Joint Water Works of a water treatment plant at the airport. While this is a long-needed project serving Harrison and Mamaroneck, the siting is dangerous. The project, near a PFAS hot spot, may leach PFAS into the Kensico Reservoir. It’s also expansive, supplying a lot more water to any new airport buildings.
History
In the past, alarming levels of PFAS and other groundwater contamination have been found around the airport and near the Kensico Reservoir. These pollutants are believed to be draining into the reservoir, though to date no PFAS chemicals have been detected in the reservoir. New York State and Westchester County have agreed to treat the airport as a polluted Brownfield (a step below SuperFund status). Under state supervision, Westchester has taken extensive environmental mitigation steps and reports progress in building new systems designed to arrest migration of pollutants into the reservoir. However, efforts to remove the most contaminated soil have stalled amidst difficulties finding a place to take it.
Cost of a potential clean up
Groundwater from the northern end and western edge of the County airport drains into the Kensico Reservoir, the source of unfiltered tap water for 90% of New York City and 80% of Westchester County. Pollution of the reservoir would be catastrophic, both for public health and in terms of costs for clean-up. If a filtration plant were required, residents could be on the hook for billions. The much smaller Croton Reservoir system did need filtration and the price tag was $3.5 billion plus ongoing operating costs for the filtration plant that had to be built. According to New York’s Environmental Protection Bureau, a similar plant for the Kensico “would entail capital expenditures of over $10 billion and annual operation and maintenance costs exceeding $100 million.”