Action to Reduce Newburgh-Area PFAS Pollution

NEWBURGH – The public has until September 8 to comment on a new plan to reduce PFAS-contaminated water from flowing off the Stewart Air National Guard base. Contamination from the use of PFAS-containing firefighting foams affected private and public drinking water supplies in Newburgh and New Windsor, NY.

The Engineering Evaluation and Cost Analysis report, out for public comment, outlines two strategies to intercept polluted groundwater before it reaches Silver Stream. These strategies, if approved and fully funded, would be implemented starting in 2026, while a comprehensive long-term remediation plan is still being completed. The estimated cost is $8.5 million, plus an annual operation and maintenance cost of $1 million.

In 2016, it was disclosed that public and private drinking water supplies in Newburgh and New Windsor were contaminated with PFAS, “forever chemicals” that have been linked to a variety of health concerns including a weaker immune system, cancer, increased cholesterol levels, pregnancy-induced hypertension, liver damage, reduced fertility, and increased risk of thyroid disease. New York State has provided filters for both public and private water sources, and Newburgh has utilized water from New York City’s Catskill Aqueduct, and its backup reservoir Browns Pond as alternatives to Washington Lake.

The Air National Guard proposes to intercept and treat contaminated groundwater to reduce additional pollution from flowing off-site. In addition, old, cracked stormwater pipes would be repaired to stop PFAS-contaminated groundwater from infiltrating the pipes and being discharged off base. Currently, PFAS-contaminated stormwater flows into Recreation Pond, where it is treated with an interim filtration system installed in December 2019. The system is effective under dry conditions but fails regularly when rains overwhelm it, resulting in polluted water bypassing the treatment system and contaminating waterbodies downstream of the base.

The proposed plan can be found at https://www.105aw.ang.af.mil/About/Programs/Environmental/ People can comment on the plan by emailing the following Air National Guard personnel by Sept 8:
• Michael Oettinger, Base Environmental Manager michael.oettinger.2@us.af.mil; and
• Bill Myer, Restoration Manager william.myer.2@us.af.mil

Reactions from Restoration Advisory Board Members
“Newburgh residents deserve full transparency in how PFAS contamination is being addressed,” said Ed Lawson, Co-Chair of the Community Restoration Advisory Board. “This analysis moves us closer to real solutions that protect our drinking water, reduce health risks, and strengthen the community’s confidence in the remediation process.”

“The frequent storms we are experiencing overwhelm the treatment system, and contaminated waters enter Silver Stream; run into the Moodna Creek; and run into the Hudson River,” said Jennifer Rawlinson of the Newburgh Clean Water Project, a member of the Restoration Advisory Board. “This is unacceptable!”

“This plan represents a major milestone in the effort to ‘Speed Up the Cleanup’ by stopping PFAS at its source, before it affects streams and drinking water sources downstream,” said Dan Shapley, Riverkeeper’s Senior Director of Advocacy, Policy and Planning. “We will continue to make sure the cleanup meets aggressive standards to protect public health and the environment.”

About the Restoration Advisory Board
A Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) meets quarterly to ensure the community is updated on the remedial process. The RAB is composed of representatives of federal and state agencies, affected municipalities, individuals, and community group representatives. The groups include the City of Newburgh Conservation Advisory Council, the Quassaick Creek Watershed Alliance, Moodna Creek Watershed Intermunicipal Council, Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, Newburgh Clean Water Project, and Riverkeeper.

How The Public Can Get Involved
• Review the proposed plan at https://www.105aw.ang.af.mil/About/Programs/Environmental/ and comment on it by emailing michael.oettinger.2@us.af.mil and william.myer.2@us.af.mil by Sept. 8.
• Community members interested in joining the Restoration Advisory Board can contact RAB facilitator Amy Brand amy.brand@jacobs.com or Newburgh Clean Water Project’s Jennifer Rawlison at jen@NewbrughCleanWaterProject.org.
• A public Poster Board session will be held on the evening of October 22 at the Newburgh Armory Unity Center to share information on PFAS contamination, ongoing cleanup actions, and future plans.

For more information, visit: https://newburghcleanwaterproject.org/