Is your water safe to drink?

PFAS - also known as "forever chemicals" - have contaminated drinking water across Westchester, with residents in Bedford, Pound Ridge, and beyond facing increased exposure risks. No matter where you are, we built a free tool to help you understand yours.

Assess my risk
20+known PFAS sites in
Westchester County
$400+cost of professional
PFAS water testing
70%of residents on
private wells at risk
⚠ Bedford, NYPFAS detected at 28× EPA health advisory level in multiple private wells. Source: NYS DEC Site Remediation.
🔬 Pound Ridge, NYElevated PFOA/PFOS concentrations linked to historic industrial discharge. Ongoing monitoring active.
✓ North Castle, NYMunicipal supply tested. Private wells unverified — risk varies by parcel.
The Problem

Forever chemicals are in our backyard.

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of over 12,000 synthetic chemicals used in everything from non-stick cookware to firefighting foam. They are known for their durability in the environment, lasting hundreds to thousands of years in water and in the environment. Not only do they last, but when they do last and humans are exposed to them, it places us at increased risk for cancer and other developmental harm.

Westchester County has documented contamination at military sites, former industrial facilities, and fire training grounds across the region. Residents relying on private wells are the most vulnerable, as their water isn't subject to the same municipal testing requirements.

Professional PFAS can cost anywhere from $300–$600, making it inaccessible for many families - especially those who don't yet know they're at risk. WaterWatch Westchester was built to close that gap: to help residents understand their exposure risk before committing to expensive testing, and to connect them with the right resources for their situation.

Why PFAS matter
01
Persistence - PFAS contain extremely strong carbon-fluoride bonds (C-F bonds). This is the same durability designed to make products heat, water, and stain-resistant - so, it prevents them from breaking down in the soil, groundwater or inside human tissue.
02
Health effects- PFAS exposure has been linked to kidney and testicular cancer, thyroid disease, immune suppression, and developmental issues in children.
03
Exposure pathways — Westchester County Airport fire training (AFFF foam), semiconductor manufacturing, metal plating, and historic landfills are primary local sources throughout Westchester, increasing the possible contamination sites.
04
2024 EPA standard - The EPA set a maximum contaminant level of 4 parts per trillion for PFOA and PFOS. Yet, many Westchester sites exceed this by large orders of magnitude.
How It Works

Three simple steps.

Select your location
Choose your municipality and neighborhood in Westchester County. Your location is placed precisely on the map relative to contamination zones and watershed boundaries.
Spatial risk analysis
Your location is cross-referenced against 5 open datasets: DEC contamination sites, watershed boundaries, land use, AFFF records, and more — scored automatically.
Targeted resources
Based on your risk tier — High, Moderate, or Low — you're directed to appropriate resources: professional labs, at-home kits, or certified filtration.
Data Sources

Built on open data.

NYS DEC Contamination Site Registry
Environmental remediation sites with confirmed or suspected PFAS presence, including spill incidents and inactive hazardous waste sites.
SOURCE: data.ny.gov
NHD Watershed & Hydrography
USGS stream networks and watershed delineations, used to model downstream contamination pathways from point sources.
SOURCE: USGS National Map
USEPA ECHO Facility Database
Enforcement and Compliance Online records of regulated facilities with PFAS discharge history.
SOURCE: echo.epa.gov
Westchester County Land Use GIS
Parcel-level zoning, historical land use classification, and proximity to commercial/industrial zones.
SOURCE: Westchester County GIS Services
NYS Drinking Water Watch
Public water system testing results and violation history, used to differentiate municipal supply risk from private well risk.
SOURCE: health.ny.gov
DoD / FAA Airport AFFF Use Records
Aqueous Film Forming Foam usage records at military and civilian airports — the primary PFAS source near Westchester Airport.
SOURCE: DoD PFAS Records, FAA Registry

You deserve to know your water.

Get your free PFAS contamination risk score, backed by real geospatial data.

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