Suffolk County residents have a new reason to be skeptical about corporate accountability. After years of contamination, legal battles, and government red tape, chemical giants 3M, DuPont, and Chemours have finally agreed to massive settlements to help clean up toxic PFAS pollution. But while billions of dollars are now on the table, the real question remains—will that money actually make it into our communities and protect our drinking water?
For decades, these companies knowingly produced and sold products laced with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals.” They were used in everything from firefighting foams to nonstick cookware, and they don’t break down naturally. Instead, they linger—in our water, our soil, and ultimately, our bodies. And now, they’re linked to serious health problems, including kidney and testicular cancer.
These settlements—$10.3 billion from 3M alone—sound like a win for communities that have been unknowingly drinking contaminated water for years. But here in Suffolk County, where PFAS contamination has already seeped into our water supply, local officials and residents are left wondering how much of this money will actually be used to fix the problem—and how long we’ll have to wait.
If you live in Westhampton Beach, Quogue, or Yaphank, you’ve likely already heard about the contamination issues. These aren’t isolated incidents—they’re part of a much larger crisis that has been building for years.
One of the worst offenders? Gabreski Air National Guard Base in Westhampton Beach, where firefighting foam containing PFAS was used for training. That foam soaked into the ground, contaminating the water supply and putting thousands of residents at risk. Brookhaven National Laboratory and various industrial sites across the county have also been flagged as potential contamination sources.
This isn’t just an environmental issue—it’s a public health emergency. PFAS have been linked to cancer, immune system damage, fertility problems, and even developmental delays in children.
The Suffolk County Water Authority (SCWA) has been aggressively testing and filtering PFAS from the local water supply, but the costs of doing so are staggering. The federal government only recently set stricter limits on PFAS in drinking water, but the truth is that communities like ours have already been dealing with the fallout for years.
With $10.3 billion from 3M, $1.19 billion from DuPont, and $750 million from Tyco Fire Products now up for grabs, you’d think that Suffolk County would be getting a huge payout to fix our water systems. But the reality is far murkier than the contaminated water itself.
For starters, these funds are being distributed over the next thirteen years. That means the money won’t be hitting local governments’ accounts overnight. And even when it does, it comes with a bureaucratic nightmare of applications, approvals, and oversight that could slow things down for years.
Then there’s the biggest concern: will Suffolk County actually get enough money to make a real impact?
Over 11,000 public water systems across the country are affected by PFAS contamination, all competing for a piece of these settlements. Even if Suffolk secures a decent chunk of the funds, will it be enough to cover the skyrocketing costs of filtration and remediation?
The SCWA, a public-benefit corporation independent from County government, which serves over 1.2 million residents, is already investing in advanced filtration systems to remove PFAS from drinking water.
But upgrades like these don’t come cheap. Some estimates suggest that full remediation efforts could cost far more than what these settlements will provide.
And then there’s the question of who, exactly, will oversee these funds. Will local communities have a say in how the money is spent? Or will it be tied up in state-level politics, with Albany deciding how much actually makes it back to Long Island?
If history has taught us anything, it’s that big settlements don’t always mean big results for the people who need them most.
Just look at the opioid crisis settlements—billions of dollars meant to help communities ravaged by addiction. Yet, much of it has been mismanaged or spent on things unrelated to actual recovery efforts.
Or take the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. After years of bureaucratic holdups, first responders had to fight tooth and nail to get the promised benefits.
So, forgive Suffolk County residents for not jumping for joy just yet. We’ve seen this movie before.
This money needs to go directly into cleaning up our water—no delays, no excuses. That means upgrading and expanding PFAS filtration systems in our water treatment plants immediately, not waiting for studies or more bureaucracy. We must hold polluters accountable beyond just this settlement. If new cases of PFAS contamination emerge, Suffolk must take swift legal action to secure additional funds.
Ensure local governments—not just Albany—have control over how this money is spent. The people who drink this water should have a say in how it’s cleaned. Keep residents informed. Too often, these public health crises are swept under the rug once the headlines fade. Suffolk residents deserve regular updates on where the money is going and how it’s being used.
While these settlements are a step in the right direction, the fight isn’t over. Suffolk County’s leaders need to stay aggressive in securing the funds we need to fix our water—and we, as residents, need to hold them accountable to ensure they do.
Because if there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s this: corporations might be paying for the damage they caused—but it’s up to us to make sure that money makes a difference.
For now, stay informed, stay vocal, and keep demanding better. Because when it comes to our water, “good enough” just isn’t good enough.
Is your home affected by PFAS contamination? Check with the Suffolk County Water Authority (www.scwa.com) for local testing and filtration options.
