Water treatment in Newburgh, after the PFOS years
In December 2013, Washington Lake tested at 170 ppt PFOS. The city switched water sources twice by 2016. We test so your family knows exactly what's coming out of the tap today.
- Free in-home testing
- No obligation
- Well and city water
- Bilingual service
What happened to Newburgh's water in 2016?
The city abandoned Washington Lake as its water source after PFOS testing hit 170 ppt in December 2013, more than twice the EPA's later 70 ppt health advisory, traced to firefighting foam used at Stewart Air National Guard Base, switching first to Brown's Pond in May 2016 and then to New York City's Catskill Aqueduct that June.
About 80 private wells near the New Windsor and Newburgh town line were separately affected by the same PFOS plume, and New York State now offers free PFAS testing and rebates from $1,000 to $10,000 for private wells across Orange County.
A more recent EWG analysis of the city's current system found hexavalent chromium at 3.2 times its health guideline, plus elevated disinfection byproducts, and PFOA still detectable at trace levels, so testing your own address still matters even years after the source switch.
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peak PFOS level at Washington Lake, December 2013
Newburgh's water history is specific and public record
Few towns have a more thoroughly documented water contamination timeline than Newburgh.
- Washington Lake tested at 170 ppt PFOS in December 2013, held near 140 to 150 ppt through 2014, and was still at 146 to 148 ppt as late as March 2016, all traced to firefighting foam at Stewart Air National Guard Base.
- The City of Newburgh Water Department switched to Brown's Pond in May 2016 (PFOS dropped to 2 to 8 ppt) and then to the NYC Catskill Aqueduct that June, where it went non-detect.
- About 80 private wells near the New Windsor and Newburgh line were separately affected by the same plume.
- A recent EWG analysis of the current system still found hexavalent chromium at 3.2 times its health guideline, plus elevated haloacetic acids and trihalomethanes, and trace PFOA.
- New York DOH now offers free PFAS testing and $1,000 to $10,000 rebates for private wells across Orange County, the first systematic program of its kind for this area.
- 49.1% of Newburgh residents are Hispanic or Latino, and 34.8% of households are owner-occupied, meaning many families here are renters as well, and testing matters for both.
Testing and filtration, after the crisis
Even with a cleaner source today, current testing still shows issues worth addressing.
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Whole house filtration
Even after the source switch, current testing still shows hexavalent chromium and disinfection byproducts above health guidelines. Whole house treatment reduces both at every tap.
Learn more -
Reverse osmosis for kids' drinking water
For families with young children, RO adds an extra layer of reduction specifically for the water they drink every day.
Learn more -
Free well water testing
If you're near the New Windsor line on a private well, testing is the first step, and the state now offers its own free PFAS testing plus rebates alongside it.
Learn more
Water profile, at a glance
What our test typically confirms here.
| Category | What we typically find |
|---|---|
| Supplier | City of Newburgh Water Department |
| Source type | Surface water (Catskill Aqueduct blend since 2016) |
| Typical hardness | Not confirmed at the CCR level for Newburgh specifically |
| Documented issues | 170 ppt PFOS at Washington Lake in 2013, forcing two source switches by 2016; hexavalent chromium and disinfection byproducts still elevated today |
| Common home symptoms | Ongoing concern about long-term exposure given the documented history, even though current levels have dropped |
What a visit in Newburgh looks like
Newburgh appointments are typically scheduled within the same week.
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1
Call or book online
Tell us if you're on city water or a well near New Windsor.
5 minutes
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2
In-home or well-side test
A technician tests for hexavalent chromium indicators, disinfection byproducts, hardness and more.
45 to 60 minutes
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3
Plain-language results
We explain what we found before recommending anything.
Same visit
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4
A system built for your results
Newburgh appointments are typically scheduled within the same week.
Usually within the same week
What our customers say
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Our water system has completely transformed over the past year. We had issues with old pipes causing chlorine taste, bacteria, PFAS, and heavy metals. Lucia identified all our water problems and provided the perfect solution for our home.
T Tom Bennett Homeowner -
From the free water analysis to the final installation, everything was fast and professional. The team's expert attention to detail made the whole process smooth and stress-free. Very satisfied with the service!
A Alex Rony Homeowner -
I had doubts about installing a water system, but after calling and getting a free analysis at my home, all my concerns were addressed. Lucia was very professional and patient in explaining everything. Implementation was quick and now we enjoy pure water every day!
E Esther Howard Business Owner
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Is Newburgh's water still contaminated with PFOS today?
No, not at the 2013 to 2016 levels. The city switched sources twice and current levels are non-detect to trace for PFOS, though a recent EWG analysis still found hexavalent chromium and disinfection byproducts above health guidelines.
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Were private wells affected by Newburgh's PFOS problem?
Yes, about 80 private wells near the New Windsor and Newburgh town line were separately affected by the same plume, and New York State now offers free PFAS testing and rebates for Orange County wells.
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Why does Newburgh still need water treatment if the source already changed?
Because current testing still shows hexavalent chromium and disinfection byproducts above EWG's health guidelines, even years after the switch away from Washington Lake, which is why a free test still matters here.
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Do you test both city water and well water in Newburgh?
Yes. We test municipal Newburgh city water and private wells near the New Windsor line differently, since they carry different documented risks.
More ways we can help nearby
Ready for your free water test in Newburgh?
One visit tells you exactly what's in your water today, well or municipal.
- Free in-home testing
- No obligation
- Bilingual service
- Well and city water