City in New York Declares State of Emergency Because of Contaminated Water
Newburgh is 60 miles north of N.Y.C. with a population roughly 30,000.
— -- Officials declared a state of emergency in a small town in the metropolitan area of New York City Monday after discovering contaminated water.
City officials in Newburgh -- with a population of roughly 30,000, and located about 60 miles north of New York City on the Hudson River -- detected elevated levels of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), a key ingredient found in various stain repellents.
The New York State Department of Conservation and the Department of Health have recommended that steps be taken to reduce or eliminate the compound from the city's water system, according to a statement released by City Manager Michael Ciaravino.
Officials are asking people to conserve usage while the city draws water from other resources for the time being.