Skip to main content

Wainscott Sand Pit Not Cause of PFOS Problem

Thu, 09/10/2020 - 12:19
The sand pit in Wainscott in 2018.
David E. Rattray

Groundwater contamination in the hamlet of Wainscott was not caused by a 70.5-acre former sand and gravel mine in that hamlet, according to a new determination by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

The D.E.C. downgraded the site from a "potential inactive hazardous waste site" to an "N" site, meaning "no action is required at this time," according to a press release issued last week by the Wainscott Commercial Center, which partially occupies the site.

The D.E.C. has been investigating the cause of groundwater pollution in Wainscott, which has shown up as perfluorinated or polyfluoroalkyl substances (known as PFOAs), volatile organic compounds, herbicides and pesticides, and/or 1,4 dioxane. Since pollution was discovered in well water in 2018, much of Wainscott has had water mains installed, and a special water district was established to fund the necessary improvements. 

Little is known about the adverse health impact of PFOAs, which are categorized as "emerging contaminants." East Hampton Town is embroiled in a class-action lawsuit brought by Wainscott residents over the pollution. 

The town has launched a suit of its own against the Wainscott Sand and Gravel company that operated the mine, several local fire departments, and the companies that made a particular kind of firefighting foam, thought to be a cause of the pollution from its use at the nearby firefighter training facility and the East Hampton Town Airport.

The conclusions by the D.E.C. "remove any doubt there have been no adverse impacts to the groundwater or soils from any of the limited prior and current uses at the site," David E. Eagan, an attorney representing the commercial center, said in a statement. "The Wainscott Commercial Center, like scores of other property owners in and around Wainscott, are victims of and not legally responsible parties under New York law with respect to, the widespread PFAS contamination."

Villages

Bluebirds Thriving in East Hampton

“I think this is the most concentrated spot for bluebirds in all of New York State,” said Joe Giunta on a drizzly Saturday morning as he walked along a segment of a bluebird trail on Daniel’s Hole Road, adjacent to 600 acres of relatively open space.

Jul 3, 2025

Cyclists, Welcome to the Thunderdome

Recent roadwork on the shoulder of Route 114 between East Hampton and Sag Harbor has highlighted a truth long known to cyclists on the South Fork: Biking here can be terrifying.

Jul 3, 2025

On Democracy’s Guardrails

A discussion of the prosecutorial process and enforcing legal limits on the Trump administration will introduce a new era for the Hamptons Institute discussion series at Guild Hall in East Hampton on Monday at 7 p.m.

Jul 3, 2025

 

Your support for The East Hampton Star helps us deliver the news, arts, and community information you need. Whether you are an online subscriber, get the paper in the mail, delivered to your door in Manhattan, or are just passing through, every reader counts. We value you for being part of The Star family.

Your subscription to The Star does more than get you great arts, news, sports, and outdoors stories. It makes everything we do possible.