Well water treatment in Orange County, built on the Newburgh lesson
In 2016 the City of Newburgh had to switch its water source twice after PFOS was found in Washington Lake. We test first so your home gets an honest answer, whether you're on a well or a municipal line.
- Free in-home testing
- No obligation
- Well and city water both
- Bilingual service
Is well water safe to drink in Orange County?
It depends entirely on the well, which is exactly why testing matters here more than almost anywhere else in our service area. Orange County is home to the Newburgh PFOS crisis, where roughly 80 private wells near the New Windsor and Newburgh line were affected by the same contamination that forced the city to abandon Washington Lake in 2016.
Washington Lake tested at 170 ppt PFOS in December 2013, more than twice the EPA's later 70 ppt health advisory and 17 times today's state MCL, traced to firefighting foam used at Stewart Air National Guard Base.
New York State is now offering free PFAS testing and rebates from $1,000 to $10,000 for Orange County private wells at or above the state's 10 ppt standard, the first systematic well-testing effort the county has had.
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peak PFOS reading at Washington Lake, 2013
Orange County's water has a documented PFAS history
Newburgh's water crisis is the single most citable contamination story in our entire service area.
- The City of Newburgh Water Department drew from Washington Lake until PFOS testing hit 170 ppt in December 2013, forcing a switch to Brown's Pond in 2016 and then to New York City's Catskill Aqueduct.
- About 80 private wells near the New Windsor and Newburgh town line were separately affected by the same PFOS plume, traced to Stewart Air National Guard Base firefighting foam.
- A recent EWG analysis of the Newburgh City system found hexavalent chromium at 3.2 times its health guideline, plus elevated disinfection byproducts, and PFOA still detectable at trace levels.
- New York DOH now offers free PFAS testing and rebates of $1,000 to $10,000 for private wells across Orange County, the first program of its kind here.
- Hardness for the municipal blend is typically reported as around 38 ppm ('soft') by independent estimators, but that figure can diverge sharply from the harder, iron-rich water many bedrock private wells produce in the same county.
- The Orange County Water Authority coordinates regionally across municipal systems including Middletown and the Monroe area.
Testing comes first in Orange County
Between a documented PFAS history and a lot of private bedrock wells, testing and whole house filtration lead here.
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Free well water testing
If you're on a private well anywhere near New Windsor or Newburgh, testing is the first and most important step, and it's free.
Learn more -
Whole house PFAS and chromium reduction
Newburgh's own system has shown hexavalent chromium and PFAS at low levels. Whole house filtration reduces both at every tap.
Learn more -
UV disinfection for well water
Bedrock wells in rural Orange County carry different risks than a municipal line. UV and iron treatment address what testing turns up.
Learn more -
Softening for iron-heavy well water
Many Orange County bedrock wells run harder and higher in iron than the municipal blend, causing staining a softener or filter can resolve.
Learn more
Towns we cover across Orange County
Municipal systems and rural wells, side by side.
| Town | Water source | What we typically find |
|---|---|---|
| Newburgh | City of Newburgh Water Dept. | Site of the 2013 to 2016 PFOS crisis and source switch |
| New Windsor | Mix of municipal and private wells | Some private wells near the Newburgh line affected by the same PFOS plume |
| Middletown | Municipal, OCWA-coordinated | Regional system separate from Newburgh's own supply |
| Monroe | Municipal, OCWA-coordinated | Regional system separate from Newburgh's own supply |
| Rural Orange County | Private bedrock wells | Iron, hardness and PFAS vary well to well, now eligible for free state PFAS testing |
Not sure which system serves your address? Call 845-879-2900 and we'll check.
What a visit in Orange County looks like
Orange County covers more ground than our home county, so we build in extra time for wells.
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1
Call or book online
Tell us if you're on a well or a municipal line, and roughly where in the county.
5 minutes
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2
In-home or in-yard test
For wells, we test at the point of entry as well as the kitchen tap.
45 to 60 minutes
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3
Plain-language results
We explain what we found in your specific water, well or municipal, before recommending anything.
Same visit
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4
A system built around your source
Orange County appointments are typically scheduled within the same week.
Same week for most addresses
Families who trust Lucia
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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 the Newburgh PFOS problem from 2016 still affecting the water today?
No, not at the levels found back then. The city switched sources twice, from Washington Lake to Brown's Pond and then to the NYC Catskill Aqueduct, and recent EWG testing shows PFOA only at trace levels, though hexavalent chromium and disinfection byproducts still show up above health guidelines.
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Can I get my well tested for PFAS in Orange County?
Yes, New York State now offers free PFAS testing for private wells in Orange County, with rebates from $1,000 to $10,000 depending on what's found, and Lucia's own free in-home test covers hardness, pH and other common well issues at the same visit.
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How hard is the water in Orange County?
It depends heavily on whether you're on the municipal blend or a private well. Independent estimators put the treated municipal water around 38 ppm (soft), but bedrock private wells in the same county often run harder and higher in iron, a real gap worth testing for.
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Do I need a whole house filter if I'm on Newburgh city water?
It's worth considering given the system's documented history with PFOS, hexavalent chromium and disinfection byproducts. A whole house unit reduces all three at every tap, not just the kitchen sink.
More ways we can help nearby
Ready for your free water test in Orange County?
Well or municipal, one visit tells you exactly what's in your water and whether the Newburgh-era issues reach your address.
- Free in-home testing
- No obligation
- Bilingual service
- Well and city water both