A bill designed to provide legal options to victims of water contamination in their communities has cleared both houses of the New York state legislature.
The bill sponsored by Republican Senator Kathy Marchione and Democratic Assemblyman John McDonald gives families in communities affected by drinking water contamination the right to bring a personal injury suit within three years after the area is designated a state Superfund.
Hoosick Falls and Petersburgh, where the chemical PFOA has been found in water supplies, have Superfund sites.
McDonald said the bill empowers residents affected by the PFOA crisis, linked to ill health effects.
“To me, it’s a reaffirmation that science, technology, things change, they change very quickly, and determinations come very quickly. And at the same token, the residents of Hoosick Falls and any other community that suffers to a similar plight, should have a due process to follow and there should be a reasonable period of time,” said McDonald.
The state does not require communities in New York to test for PFOA.
