Private Well PFAS Testing and Mitigation Rebate Pilot Program

We are accepting testing applications in Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Suffolk, Ulster, and Westchester.

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

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 commonly found and 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.

This program is for household drinking water. Private wells used only for agriculture are not eligible.

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.

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 accepting testing applications for Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Suffolk, Ulster, and Westchester. 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.

Step 2. Decide and Install PFAS Water Treatment

Only property owners can apply for a rebate for PFAS water treatment. You must have completed your water treatment project within six months of getting your eligibility letter with test results before you can apply for rebate.

New York State strongly recommends that you work with a professional water treatment contractor. You have the option for us to pay them directly, using the Assignment of Payment Form, 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.

For In-home Treatment Sytems Only

You need to include one-time post-treatment water test results with your itemized receipts and other required documentation.

Your water must be sampled after your treatment system is installed to confirm that it is reducing PFOA and PFOS. To qualify for the rebate, the test needs to be analyzed by a New York State accredited lab for EPA Method 533 or EPA Method 537.1, Version 2. Ask your contractor to perform post-treatment sampling as part of the system installation. The cost of one post-treatment water test is an eligible expense towards your rebate.
  • Make sure your post-treatment water test is analyzed by a New York State accredited lab for EPA Method 533 or EPA Method 537.1, Version 2. Visit the list of accredited labs to ensure the lab meets this requirement.
    • We highly encourage you to use a contractor to perform post-treatment sampling as part of the system installation. Double check that your contractor is using a lab certified by New York State for EPA Method 533 or EPA Method 537.1, Version 2 to test the sample.
    • If your contractor will not perform this testing, you will need to work with an accredited lab to take your own sample. Carefully follow instructions for collecting your sample from your laboratory as well as the technical guidance in Monitoring and Maintenance Guide for Owner Installed Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) Drinking Water Treatment Systems Appendix A. It’s very important that you follow these instructions to ensure your sample can be accurately analyzed.
  • If you are connecting to a public water system, you do not need to perform post-installation testing because your public water supplier is already testing for PFOA and PFOS and submitting these sample results to New York State.

Your in-home water treatment system must be maintained over time to continue to remove PFAS. Maintenance costs and sales tax are not covered in your rebate. Talk to your professional water treatment contractor and consider adding an annual service contract or maintenance plan.

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 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.

Step 3. Apply for a Mitigation Rebate

We are accepting applications for Dutchess, Putnam, Orange, Suffolk, Ulster, and Westchester. Only property owners may apply for a rebate. You will only get a rebate if:

    1. You received a letter from the Program stating you are eligible for a water treatment rebate and test results for PFOA or PFOS are 10 ng/L or greater.
    2. You completed the in-home water treatment installation at your property, or were connected to a public water supply after you received your eligibility letter with test results.
    3. In-home treatment systems only: Your contractor or you have conducted a one-time post-treatment test using a New York State accredited lab for EPA Method 533 or EPA Method 537.1, Version 2 and results show PFOA and PFOS levels are below 10 ng/L.
  • Mail-in Rebate Application

    • 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 I connected to a public water system
    Paid invoice or final, dated, itemized invoice with property address and work completed, and proof of payment (e.g. receipt, credit card statement) if invoice is not paid. 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

    Additional Forms Required by Counties

  • All Counties: A completed W9 tax form
  • Dutchess: Direct Deposit Form
  • Orange: Payee Application Form and Direct Deposit Form

    Contact your county directly with questions.

    Get Help

    Resources for Applicants

    Resources for Counties

    Resources for Contractors

    Additional Resources