Local News: October 20, 2023

- Thirteen New York military installations among those that may be be contaminating groundwater -

A recent report from the U.S. Department of Defense finds that 245 out of 275 installations are close to groundwater sources. They include 13 sites in New York State. Public News Service says that the water from military sites may be leaching toxic PFAS or “forever chemicals” into groundwater. Clean-up is already underway at most of them. The main source of the toxins was firefighting foam that was washed off of tarmacs onto soil. The EPA is considering new regulations to safeguard drinking water. A state bill requiring facilities with pollutant permits to disclose the amount of PFAS they discharge failed to get out of committee.

- Environmental group distributing free PFAS test kits near Seneca Meadows landfill -

Free PFAS testing kits are being distributed to residents near the Seneca Meadows landfill by the environmental group, Seneca Lake Guardian. FingerLakes1.com says the group wants to use the results from testing to determine a baseline level of PFAS chemicals coming from the landfill. The organization opposes the application for expansion of the landfill currently being considered by the state. Landfill operators say the expansion will not cause environmental harm to human health. Seneca Lake Guardian has initiated several lawsuits to try to stop the expansion. None have been successful.