County Launches PFAS Testing and Mitigation Rebate Pilot Program
Published on March 20, 2026
KINGSTON, NY - Ulster County residents who rely on private wells for their drinking water are now eligible to apply for free PFAS testing and rebates for water treatment systems, as part of New York State’s new Private Well PFAS Testing and Mitigation Rebate Pilot Program. Applications are now open in Ulster County. Ulster County is one of six counties participating in the pilot, which County Executive Metzger announced in her State of the County Address in February.
The program — led by the New York State Department of Health (NYS DOH), Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), and Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) — provides free testing for PFAS in private wells and offers rebates of up to $5,000 for whole-house treatment systems, up to $10,000 for connection to public water where available, and up to $1,000 for point-of-use treatment systems in certain cases. Property owners are eligible to apply for a rebate when PFAS concentrations are at or above drinking water standards established by NYS DOH.
In addition to Ulster County, other participating counties include Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Suffolk, and Westchester, which have a high number of private wells with potential for PFAS contamination, and therefore more residents at potential risk.
“In my State of the County address, I spoke about giving residents new tools to protect their drinking water, and I’m proud to see this program now underway,” said Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger. “PFAS contamination is a growing concern across the country, and this pilot provides our residents with free testing and meaningful financial support to keep their water safe. I’m grateful to Governor Hochul for championing this effort and to our state partners for making this important program possible. I also want to thank Public Health Director Eve Walter and her team for leading this pilot in our County, and for their dedication to protecting our residents’ right to clean water, as enshrined in the New York State Constitution.”
“Our department has heard from many residents who are understandably concerned about PFAS in their drinking water,” said Eve Walter, Ulster County Public Health Director. “This pilot program gives private well users access to testing and financial support that would otherwise be out of reach for many households. We’re committed to helping residents navigate the process.”
“Under the leadership of Governor Hochul, the New York State Department of Health is pleased to partner with Ulster County and our state partners to implement this pilot program to address PFAS in drinking water for people on private wells,” said State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald. “We are committed to protecting the health of New Yorkers and are optimistic for the impact of this program to inform future efforts.”
PFAS — per‑ and polyfluoroalkyl substances — are a group of chemicals used in many household and commercial products. They can persist in the environment and have been detected in drinking water across the country. New York State’s drinking water standards for PFOA and PFOS (two of the most studied PFAS) are 10 parts per trillion, and these values are used as guidelines to determine eligibility for mitigation rebates.
Residents may be eligible if their drinking water comes from a private well in Ulster County. Property owners may apply for free testing; tenants may also apply if they provide a notarized property‑owner acknowledgment. Businesses with transient non‑community water systems — such as parks, rest stops, convenience stores, and restaurants with their own wells — may also qualify. Wells associated with known contamination sites already part of a remediation program are not eligible.
The program offers free PFAS testing conducted by New York State. If results show PFOA or PFOS at or above 10 parts per trillion, eligible property owners may apply for rebates to install a whole‑house PFAS treatment system, connect to public water where feasible, or install certified point‑of‑use systems in cases where whole‑house treatment is not possible. Funding is limited, and application periods may open and close depending on demand.
Applications can be submitted online at health.ny.gov/PrivateWellPFAS, which is the preferred method. Paper applications are also available on the program website under “Documents”. Rebate applications must be submitted after mitigation work is completed.
Program inquiries can be directed to the program hotline number: 1-800-616-9275, the program help email: PrivateWellPFAS@hrpassociates.com, or the program website at health.ny.gov/PrivateWellPFAS. For local assistance to navigate the process, please call the Ulster County Department of Health at (845) 340-3022.
For more information and to apply, visit health.ny.gov/PrivateWellPFAS.