Assembly to Hold Water Quality Hearings

Speaker Carl Heastie, Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Steve Englebright and Health Committee Chair Richard Gottfried today announced the Assembly will hold public hearings on water quality in New York State in early September.

"Recent reports of water contamination in municipalities across the state have highlighted the need for a thorough review of measures to ensure clean and healthy water in our communities," said Heastie. "Ensuring a safe water supply for our children and families is a top priority for us."

Englebright and Gottfried will take testimony at two public hearings in early September related to water contamination situations in various communities across New York State. The hearings will be held in Albany and Suffolk County. The Assembly will review the causes and response to the known contaminations as well as measures to prevent future occurrences.

"Recent events around the nation and here in New York have shown harmful contaminants in the water supply. Drinking water should be safe and clean. Disturbing discoveries of harmful contaminants highlight the need for preventative measures to be put in place to protect our water purity," said Assemblyman Englebright.

"Ensuring the safety of drinking water in this state is paramount," said Assemblyman Gottfried. "We're going to examine the issue of water contamination and assess our current laws and public policies on these matters, and how they're working, to protect public access to safe, clean water."