The Suffolk County Water Authority (SCWA) has received $7 million in grant funding from the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation to support five new Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) treatment projects. These projects are designed to remove per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from the drinking water supply.
According to SCWA, this funding is part of a broader effort to eliminate PFAS from public water while minimizing costs for customers. The authority reports that it is already complying with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s national 4-parts-per-trillion standard for PFAS in drinking water, years ahead of the 2031 regulatory deadline. The upcoming GAC projects aim to help SCWA achieve its long-term objective of reducing PFAS levels in delivered water to non-detectable amounts.
Since 2019, SCWA has secured about $112 million in state and federal grants for water quality improvements, infrastructure upgrades, and system expansion. This investment has enabled SCWA to maintain some of the lowest customer rates in New York while advancing efforts on emerging contaminant treatment more quickly than required by regulations.
“Grant funding is critical to protecting water quality without putting the full cost on our customers,” said SCWA Chairman Charlie Lefkowitz. “These projects allow us to continue installing advanced treatment systems, meet strict PFAS standards ahead of schedule and keep rates affordable. I want to thank the state for their continued investment in high quality drinking water.”
SCWA Chief Executive Officer Jeff Szabo stated, “We made a commitment years ago to get ahead of PFAS, not wait for mandates. This funding helps us continue that work and accelerates our ability to fully remove these compounds from drinking water while maintaining long-term financial stability.”
Granular Activated Carbon technology works by passing water through carbon media that removes PFAS before it reaches consumers. SCWA continues deploying GAC systems as part of a comprehensive approach across its service area.
The Water Infrastructure Improvement Act program provides grants that cover a significant share of eligible project expenses, easing financial pressures on local utilities and ratepayers while supporting public health initiatives throughout New York State.
SCWA serves approximately 1.2 million residents as an independent public-benefit corporation under New York law and operates without taxing power on a not-for-profit basis.