This is Closer to Home Than You Might Think

If you live in Philipstown, Mahopac, Putnam Valley, Brewster, or surrounding communities, this isn't a distant problem. According to The Highlands Current's reporting on the program, roughly half of Philipstown's nearly 9,400 residents relied on well water as of a groundwater study conducted nearly 20 years ago. That's a significant portion of our neighbors drawing their drinking water from the ground beneath their feet — with no automatic monitoring in place the way municipal water systems have.

In fact, the article notes that New York State has an estimated one million homes and businesses relying on private wells — and those property owners are responsible for their own testing unless they happen to be part of a larger pollution investigation. Most families simply aren't testing as regularly as they should be.

We've already seen the consequences of that in our own region. More than 100 private wells near the Mahopac Business District were found to have PFAS levels above state limits — the result of contamination traced back to dry-cleaning chemicals. State-funded filters were eventually distributed to dozens of affected properties. Putnam Valley Elementary School dealt with well contamination levels — 38.3 parts per trillion for PFOS and 23.3 ppt for PFOA — far above what the state considers acceptable, attributed to firefighting foam used at local fire stations.

These aren't hypothetical scenarios. They happened here.

What the New State Program Offers

The good news is that New York is taking this seriously, and there's real financial help available for well owners right now. The state has allocated $1.5 million to Putnam County through this pilot program. Here's what eligible homeowners and business owners can receive, according to the reporting:

• Free or reimbursed testing for PFAS in your private well
• Up to $5,000 toward a whole-house "point-of-entry" filtration system if your levels exceed state guidelines
• Up to $1,000 for point-of-use filters on individual faucets
• Up to $10,000 to connect your property to a public water system where available
• Up to $1,500 for ongoing testing and maintenance

The state's guideline threshold is 10 parts per trillion for PFOA and PFOS — the two most commonly found and studied versions of PFAS. If your well water comes back above that level, you're eligible for assistance with treatment.

Here's the Honest Challenge

One thing we found striking in the reporting is how difficult it can be to get well owners to act — even when testing is free. Officials in Michigan, which has invested heavily in PFAS response, noted that getting even half of residents to say yes to free testing is considered a win. New Hampshire tested over 15,000 wells and found more than half exceeded federal standards — and that's a state that had already been through a well-publicized PFAS crisis.

We understand the hesitation. People are busy. Wells that have "worked fine for years" don't feel urgent. But contamination is invisible, odorless, and tasteless. You genuinely cannot tell whether PFAS is in your water without a test.

What We Recommend

At Churyk, we always tell our customers: don't wait for a crisis to prompt you. Test your well for bacteria at least once a year, and do a broader panel — including PFAS — every few years. It's an inexpensive peace of mind, and right now, the state is offering to help cover the cost.

If your results come back elevated, we install and service whole-house filtration systems, point-of-entry treatment, and custom water treatment solutions throughout Putnam, Westchester, and Fairfield Counties. We'll assess your specific situation, explain your options clearly, and design a system around what's actually in your water — not a one-size-fits-all package.

We've been doing this since 1947. Clean, safe water for your family is exactly what we're here for.

Ready to Take Action?

Call us at (914) 764-4600 or (203) 322-6300 to schedule a free consultation. You can also learn more about PFAS and our filtration solutions at churykcompany.com/water-issues/pfas.

Don't guess about your water. Know.

Churyk Company, Inc. is a fourth-generation, family-owned well water company serving Putnam and Westchester Counties, NY, and Fairfield County, CT since 1947. Services include well pump repair and replacement, water testing, water filtration and treatment, water tank service, and emergency well service.