Private Well PFAS Testing and Mitigation Rebate Pilot Program

About the Program

Map counties in the pilot program

The Private Well PFAS Testing and Mitigation Rebate Pilot Program offers limited, free private well testing and rebates for PFAS water treatment in six counties. What we learn will inform future efforts to support New Yorkers on private wells.

The counties selected for this pilot are Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Suffolk, Ulster, and Westchester. These are densely populated counties with private wells, which puts them at higher risk of contamination.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are commonly found in the environment, consumer products, and in drinking water. Public health agencies and New Yorkers have become increasingly aware of the public health risks of PFAS.

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) are the two most studied PFAS. New York State's PFOA and PFOS public drinking water standards are used as the guidance values to recommend PFAS water treatment and determine eligibility for a rebate.

Eligible applicants can:

  • Have their private well tested for PFAS (using EPA Method 537.1 version 2) at no cost.
  • Install PFAS water treatment or connect to a public water supply.
    • Rebates are available only if your private well test results for PFOA or PFOS are equal to or greater than New York State drinking water standards for public water (10 nanograms per liter (ng/L) or 10 parts per trillion (ppt)).
    • Applicants must first have their private well tested for PFAS by this program and received results letter stating you are eligible for a rebate.
    • Eligible test results dated January 1, 2025 or later from Suffolk County Department of Health Services' Private Well Testing Program may also be used to apply for a rebate when we are accepting applications for Suffolk County.

We are only accepting testing applications for Putnam County at this time.

We are pausing testing applications in Dutchess and Ulster Counties.

We don’t want to turn anyone away who has been tested as part of this program and is eligible for a rebate for PFAS water treatment.

We may continue accepting applications during different timeframes in each county. We also may pause as we carefully track available funds for rebates. Please look for future announcements here and from these six counties.

Am I Eligible?

Yes No
You get water from a private well in Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Suffolk, Ulster, or Westchester and we are accepting applications for your county. Yes
You own or rent property with a private well in those counties. Renters must include a Property Owner Acknowledgment form. Yes
You own a business that is a transient, non-community water system in those counties. Yes
You already have a whole house water treatment system that removes PFAS that was not installed as part of this program. No
You have been previously offered alternate water from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation or a responsible third party as part of a remediation program. No
You get your drinking water from a public water system. Public water systems are already tested for PFAS and must meet New York State drinking water standards for PFOA and PFOS. No

Step 1. Apply for PFAS Water Testing

If you get your water from a private well in an eligible county you can apply for PFAS water testing. Use the link below to apply or use this mail in application when the application period is open in your county. Limited funds are available for this program. Applications will remain open as funds are available.

We are only accepting testing applications for Putnam County at this time. We are pausing testing applications in Dutchess and Ulster Counties. Applicants must have their well tested by this program before they are eligible to apply for a PFAS water treatment rebate.

What You Will Need to Apply

Property Owners Renters Transient non-community water systems
Property Tax ID (section, block, lot) from the property tax bill Yes Yes Yes
Signed, notarized Property Owner Acknowledgment form   Yes
Your Public Water System ID   Yes

If your application is approved, a private well testing contractor will contact you and the property owner to schedule PFAS water testing. You should receive test results and a determination on if you are eligible to apply for a PFAS water treatment rebate within about 2-6 weeks after your well is tested.

Only property owners can apply for a rebate for PFAS water treatment. You will only get a rebate if you have a letter from the program stating you are eligible, so wait for your results before starting your water treatment project.

Your PFAS water treatment project must be completed within six months of the date on your results letter stating you are rebate eligible.

New York State strongly recommends that you work with a professional water treatment contractor. You have the option for us to pay them directly, if they are willing. Carefully review the Eligibility Criteria for Rebates, share it with your professional water treatment contractor, and contact us with questions before starting work. You will not be eligible for a rebate for anything not listed in that document.

Ongoing water testing and maintenance needed to keep your water treatment system working effectively and sales tax are not covered under this rebate. Talk with your professional water treatment contractor about maintenance plans that may allow you to spread maintenance costs over the life of your water treatment system.

Rebates

  • Up to $5,000 for a program rebate-eligible whole-house carbon filtration or ion exchange water treatment system point of entry treatment system (POETs)
  • Up to $1,000 for program rebate-eligible point-of-use water treatment system(s) (POUTs) on specific water taps or drinking water outlets. This is only an option for homes when a point of entry system is not feasible. A POUT system is not an option for facilities with transient non-community water systems.
  • Up to $10,000 for a connection to an existing public water system.

We are only accepting applications for Dutchess, Putnam, and Ulster Counties at this time.

Only property owners may apply for a rebate. You will only get a rebate if:

  • You received your test results from this Program and levels for PFOA or PFOS are 10 ng/L or greater.
  • You received a letter from the Program stating you are eligible for a rebate and have completed your water treatment project.

Your application must be submitted along with these items within six months of the date on your results letter stating you are eligible for a rebate:

I installed an in-home PFAS water treatment system I connected to a public water system
Final, dated, itemized invoice with property address and work completed Yes Yes
Post water treatment test results, confirming PFOA and PFOS levels are below 10 ng/L Yes
Copies of service connection application or agreement with the local water authority Yes
Photos of installed PFAS mitigation Yes Yes

Assignment of Payment Form, if you want your professional water treatment contractor paid directly

 Yes Yes

Get Help

Application Documents

Resources for Counties

Additional Resources