Suffolk County is expanding its response to PFAS contamination on the North Fork on two fronts: offering free testing for eligible private well owners across the county while simultaneously pursuing millions of dollars in state and federal funding to extend public water service to a Mattituck neighborhood where dozens of private wells have been found contaminated.

County Executive Ed Romaine said in a statement Thursday that residents who rely on private wells can now apply for free PFAS testing through a New York State pilot program administered by the Suffolk County Department of Health Services. The announcement comes as the Suffolk County Water Authority and the county seek grants to fund a $2.4 million water main extension for up to 60 homes near Reeve Avenue in Mattituck, where testing has revealed widespread contamination of private wells.

The testing initiative follows an ongoing state and county investigation into PFAS contamination at and surrounding the Southold Town transfer station in Cutchogue, where groundwater carrying the so-called “forever chemicals” has migrated offsite and prompted testing offers for nearby private wells.

“Clean water is essential to our quality of life here in Suffolk County,” Romaine said in a release announcing the testing program. “Our residents deserve to know this information, and I encourage homeowners to participate in this free program if eligible.”

The Private Well PFAS Testing and Mitigation Rebate Pilot Program provides free PFAS testing and may also offer financial assistance for water treatment systems or connections to public water for qualifying participants. Suffolk County received $1.5 million in state grant funding and is one of only five New York counties selected to participate in the pilot program.

The county also operates a separate private well testing program that screens for PFAS and roughly 300 other contaminants.

Meanwhile, the Suffolk County Water Authority is seeking to eliminate the need for private wells altogether in one Mattituck neighborhood by extending public water service to homes near Reeve Avenue.

According to the Water Authority, the proposed project would install approximately 3,850 feet of new water main to serve up to 60 homes. The estimated $2.4 million cost includes the water main, service taps and private service lines. Without outside funding, officials estimate connection costs could exceed $40,000 per property.

The project stems from a 2024 Suffolk County Department of Health Services assessment of private wells in the area. Of 39 wells tested, 31 contained PFOA and/or PFOS, two of the most common PFAS compounds. Twenty-two wells exceeded New York State’s drinking water standard of 10 parts per trillion, with the highest reading topping 1,000 parts per trillion — more than 100 times the state limit.

Unlike public water systems, private wells draw untreated groundwater and are not subject to routine testing or treatment requirements.

“SCWA’s mission is to provide the highest quality water to the residents of Suffolk County, and that involves getting people connected to a reliable, safe supply,” SCWA Chairman Charlie Lefkowitz said in a statement. “This project is a critical step in fulfilling that mission for the residents of Mattituck.”

Romaine called the proposed extension “fundamentally a public health issue.”

“The levels of contamination found in these private wells present a clear risk,” he said. “Connecting these homes to a safe, regulated water supply is necessary to protect the health and well-being of this community.”

To pay for the project, SCWA has applied for funding through New York State’s Water Infrastructure Improvement program, which can cover up to 70% of eligible project costs. The authority has also sought federal funding through the offices of U.S. Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and U.S. Rep. Nick LaLota.

If both funding applications are approved, officials said homeowners and businesses could pay nothing to connect to the public water system. SCWA has previously used similar combinations of state and federal grants to finance water main extensions in Manorville, Calverton, Westhampton and Oak Beach.

“While there are no guarantees regarding the federal funding, we are encouraged by the support of our Congressional delegation,” SCWA CEO Jeff Szabo said. “Securing these funds is essential to getting shovels in the ground and protecting these homeowners from bearing an extreme financial burden.”

The proposed extension follows an unsuccessful 2025 application for state funding, which officials said was denied because of limited funding availability.

The free PFAS testing program is open only to owners and renters whose properties are served by private wells. Residents who receive water from public water systems are not eligible because public water suppliers are already required to routinely monitor for PFAS and other contaminants.

For more information, or to apply to have your private well tested by New York State, visit www.health.ny.gov/PrivateWellPFAS.