Calverton PFAS in Well Water? Why 92 Homes Just Got New Water Mains (December 2025)
🚀 Key Takeaways
- 92 Calverton homes on South River Road just received clean water after PFAS contamination reached dangerous levels in private wells
- Suffolk County Health Services discovered PFAS at elevated levels—well above state and federal standards
- Phase 2 is underway NOW, connecting 81 more homes south of Nugent Drive, with Phase 3 planned for end of 2026
- If you have a private well in Calverton, your water is NOT treated—testing reveals what's actually in YOUR water
- Whole-home filtration targets PFAS and protects every tap, shower, and appliance from contamination
Maybe you've heard the term. PFAS. "Forever chemicals." The kind of thing you read about in environmental reports and think, "That's not my problem."
Except if you live in Calverton and you have a private well, it absolutely is your problem.
In December 2025, the Suffolk County Water Authority completed a massive project: 20,000 feet of new water main along South River Road. Ninety-two homes that were drinking well water contaminated with PFAS—at levels well above state and federal safety standards—now have access to clean, treated municipal water.
I'm Glenn Taylor, owner of pHountain Water Filtration. I've been testing Long Island water for over 15 years, and I've seen PFAS contamination reports from Calverton that would shock you. Here's what's actually happening in your backyard—and how to protect your family if you're one of the 25,000 Long Island homes still relying on untreated private wells.
What Just Happened on South River Road
According to an announcement from the Suffolk County Water Authority and Citizens Campaign for the Environment, SCWA completed Phase 1 of one of their most ambitious clean water projects in decades in December 2025.
The South River Road water main installation brought clean, treated municipal water to 92 Calverton homes whose private wells had been impacted by PFAS contamination. The project cost $8.65 million, fully funded through Congressional Directed Spending, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and the American Rescue Plan Act—meaning not a dime came from local taxpayers.
Here's the alarming part: Suffolk County Department of Health Services discovered PFAS in private wells at elevated levels—well above both New York State standards and the new federal EPA limits.
SCWA Chairman Charlie Lefkowitz didn't mince words at the announcement: "The Suffolk County Department of Health Services discovered that PFAS were in private wells, found at high levels." That's significantly higher than what's considered safe.
This wasn't a routine infrastructure upgrade. This was an emergency response to a serious public health threat.
Why Calverton Private Wells Are Vulnerable
Let's be real about why Calverton has a PFAS problem.
Long Island sits on top of a sole-source aquifer—meaning every drop of drinking water comes from underground. There's no river, no reservoir, no backup plan. Just groundwater filtered through sand and gravel deposited by glaciers 20,000 years ago.
Calverton's groundwater has been contaminated by multiple sources. The former Grumman Naval Weapons Industrial Reserve Plant site is a known contributor. Federal agencies left the site without comprehensive cleanup—similar to what happened in Bethpage, where Navy contamination created one of the largest Superfund sites in the country.
PFAS—per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances—were used in firefighting foam at military installations, industrial sites, and airports for decades. These chemicals don't break down naturally. They persist in soil and groundwater indefinitely. Hence the nickname: forever chemicals.
Private wells in Calverton draw water from the shallow Upper Glacial Aquifer, the most vulnerable layer. Unlike municipal water systems that treat for contaminants before delivering water to homes, private wells pump raw, untreated groundwater directly into your house.
After analyzing over 2,000 local water samples across Nassau and Suffolk County, the data for Calverton is consistent: private wells in areas near former industrial or military sites show elevated PFAS levels. Municipal water provided by SCWA achieved EPA compliance for PFAS in treated water as of June 2025. But if you have a private well? Your water is untreated and unregulated.
How PFAS Contamination Reaches Your Tap
Decades of industrial discharge and firefighting foam use at sites like the former Grumman facility leach PFAS into soil and groundwater.
PFAS travels through the shallow Upper Glacial Aquifer, spreading across Calverton's groundwater supply over time.
Private wells pump contaminated groundwater directly into homes with zero treatment or filtration.
Families drink, cook, shower, and wash with PFAS-contaminated water—unaware of the health risks accumulating over months and years.
The Health Risks You're Not Hearing About
Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director for Citizens Campaign for the Environment, put it bluntly at the South River Road announcement: "PFAS is so toxic that it's measured in parts per trillion. It's closely associated with thyroid cancer and disease and liver damage and disorders."
Parts per trillion. That's how insanely toxic these chemicals are. A single drop of PFAS in an Olympic-sized swimming pool is detectable—and dangerous.
Research links PFAS exposure to:
- Thyroid disease and thyroid cancer
- Liver damage and elevated liver enzymes
- Pregnancy complications and low birth weight
- Immune system suppression
- Increased cholesterol levels
- Developmental delays in children
Long Island residents already have PFAS blood levels significantly higher than the national average. If you're drinking well water in Calverton, you're adding to that exposure every single day.
The "Bottled Water Solution" That's Costing You Thousands
A lot of Calverton families went the bottled water route after hearing about PFAS. Poland Spring. Costco. Cases stacked in the garage.
Here's the math on that:
- Weekly: $40-55 (average Long Island family of four)
- Monthly: $160-220
- Annual: $1,920-2,640
- 10 Years: $19,200-26,400
You're spending enough over a decade to buy a used car. And you're not even getting "pure" water.
According to a 2024 Columbia University study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, bottled water contains an average of 240,000 detectable plastic fragments per liter—nanoplastics small enough to cross into your bloodstream and organs.
You're not drinking mountain spring water. You're drinking microplastics that leached from the bottle itself.
We broke down the full cost in our detailed analysis of bottled water costs on Long Island and why Long Island families should stop paying for plastic water. The short version? You're literally pouring money down the drain while consuming plastic particles.
Curious What's in YOUR Water?
We offer FREE same-day water testing for Nassau and Suffolk County homeowners. No pressure, no sales pitch—just honest answers about your water quality.
(631) 991-3995Or visit our Islip showroom at 384 Moffitt Blvd.
The Solution: Whole-Home Filtration for Calverton
This is where the Nell Whole-House Filtration System comes in.
The Nell System targets contaminants at the source—your main water line—before they reach your faucets, showers, or appliances. Designed specifically for Long Island water challenges, it addresses the exact issues we see in Calverton: PFAS, sediment, chlorine, and aging infrastructure concerns.
Here's what makes it different:
1. Salt-Free Technology
Traditional water softeners use salt, which leaves that slimy feel on your skin and requires hauling 40-pound bags every month. The Nell System uses advanced filtration media—no salt, no slime, no hassle. It's eco-friendly and doesn't add sodium to your water.
2. Mineral-Rich Water
We don't strip out healthy minerals like calcium and magnesium. Your body needs these. The Nell System targets harmful contaminants while keeping the good stuff.
3. Whole-Home Protection
Every tap in your house gets filtered water. Kitchen sink, bathroom shower, washing machine, dishwasher—everything. No more buying separate filters for different fixtures.
4. Commercial-Grade Installation
We don't subcontract. Every Nell System is installed by our in-house team of New York State licensed plumbers. You get uniformed pHountain Water Filtration technicians who've been trained specifically on Long Island water conditions.
What the Nell System targets:
- PFAS (forever chemicals increasingly found in Long Island aquifers)
- Iron and manganese (causes orange stains and gritty texture)
- Chlorine and chloramines (bleach smell, dry skin)
- Lead (from aging pipes and fixtures)
- Sediment (rust, sand, particulates)
- VOCs and 1,4-Dioxane (industrial contaminants)
- Hard water minerals (soap scum, scale buildup)
- Microplastics (from infrastructure and source water)
Built in America, designed for Long Island conditions, installed by our team. Learn more about whole-home water filtration on our products page.
Nell System vs. Other "Solutions"
| Feature | Bottled Water | Pitcher Filter (Brita/Pur) | Nell Whole-House System |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $1,920+ | $200+ (replacement filters) | $0 (after installation) |
| Targets PFAS? | N/A (drinking only) | Limited / Inconsistent | Yes (whole-home) |
| Protects Pipes & Appliances? | No | No | Yes |
| Convenience | Heavy lifting, storage, constant restocking | Constant refilling, slow filtration | Unlimited filtered water at every tap |
| Microplastics Risk | High (240,000 particles/liter) | Low | Zero |
| Whole-Home Coverage? | No | No (single tap) | Yes (every tap) |
| Environmental Impact | 3,000+ bottles/year waste | Moderate (filter waste) | Minimal |
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Real Calverton Family: The Rodriguez Story
The Rodriguez family lives on Edwards Avenue in Calverton, less than two miles from South River Road.
Maria Rodriguez called us in January 2026, right after the South River Road water main project made local news. "I saw the headlines about PFAS," she told me. "We're on a private well. I have two kids under 10. I don't know what's in our water, and that terrifies me."
We tested their water the next day. The results showed elevated PFAS levels—not as high as some South River Road wells, but still well above what we'd recommend for a family with young children. The shallow well was also pulling in iron and some sediment.
We installed a Nell Whole-House System that Friday. By Monday morning, Maria sent me photos of their water test results post-installation: clean, clear water throughout the house.
"I didn't realize how much I was worrying about this until the system was in. My husband and I were buying bottled water for drinking and cooking—about $180 a month. Now the kids can drink straight from the tap. We fill their water bottles from the kitchen sink. I'm not paranoid every time they brush their teeth."
The Rodriguez family is saving roughly $2,160 per year compared to their previous bottled water habit. The Nell System paid for itself in under three years. And they're drinking cleaner water than they ever got from plastic bottles.
The ROI on a Nell System
1. Immediate Cash Flow: Stop spending $160-220/month on bottles. That's $1,920-2,640 back in your pocket every year.
2. Payback Period: Most Long Island families find the system pays for itself in 2-3 years through bottled water savings alone.
3. Long-Term Savings: Over 10 years, you're saving $19,200-26,400 compared to buying bottled water. That's a family vacation. A car. A college fund contribution.
4. Asset Protection: Filtered water extends the life of your water heater, boiler, washing machine, and dishwasher. PFAS, iron, and sediment don't just affect your health—they destroy appliances. Clean water protects your investment.
5. Home Value: Whole-house filtration is a premium upgrade Long Island buyers actively look for, especially in areas with known well water contamination. It's a selling point when you list your home.
6. 10-Year Warranty: We stand behind our work. The Nell System comes with a comprehensive 10-year warranty on parts and labor.
Why Choose pHountain?
1. Family-Owned Since 2010
We're not a national chain. We're a Long Island family business with 15+ years of experience serving Nassau and Suffolk County. When you call, you talk to people who live here, work here, and drink the same water you do.
2. Local Headquarters in Islip
Visit our showroom at 384 Moffitt Boulevard in Islip. See the systems in person, meet our team, ask questions. We're not a P.O. box or a call center—we're your neighbors.
3. Long Island Water Experts
Glenn Taylor and our team know Long Island water from Montauk to Mineola. We've tested water in Calverton, Shirley, Manorville, Smithtown, Huntington, Massapequa—every town on the Island. We understand the unique challenges each area faces.
4. In-House Licensed Plumbers
We NEVER subcontract. Every installation is done by our own team of New York State licensed, background-checked, uniformed pHountain plumbers. You know exactly who's coming to your home.
5. After-Hours Availability
Water emergencies don't wait for business hours. We're available when you need us—evenings and weekends included.
6. 2,000+ Long Island Families Served
We've installed systems in over 2,000 homes across Nassau and Suffolk County. Check our testimonials or visit our Google Maps listing to see what your neighbors are saying.
Learn more about our story and read customer testimonials on our website.
Frequently Asked Questions
âť“ How much does a whole house water filter cost on Long Island?
The honest answer: it depends on your home's plumbing configuration and water quality. Most families find that when you factor in what they're currently spending on bottled water ($1,920+/year), the system pays for itself within 2-3 years. We offer 0% financing to make it more manageable. Call (631) 991-3995 for a free water test and no-pressure quote.
âť“ Do water filters target PFAS?
Yes. The Nell Whole-House System targets PFAS (forever chemicals) along with hundreds of other contaminants. PFAS is increasingly found in Long Island groundwater due to industrial contamination and firefighting foam used at former military sites like the Grumman facility in Calverton. If you're concerned about PFAS in your Calverton water, we can test for it during your free water quality assessment.
âť“ Is Calverton tap water safe to drink in 2026?
Municipal water provided by SCWA meets federal EPA standards as of June 2025. But if you're on a private well in Calverton, there's no regulation at all—you're responsible for testing and treatment. The Suffolk County Department of Health Services found elevated PFAS levels in Calverton private wells. The question isn't "is it legal to drink?" It's "do you want to drink water with PFAS contamination, or water that's actually clean?"
âť“ What's the difference between pHountain and traditional water softeners?
Salt. Traditional systems (like Culligan or Kinetico) use salt to soften water. That creates a slimy feel on your skin, requires hauling 40-pound bags every month, and adds sodium to your drinking water. The Nell System is salt-free. It targets hardness, iron, PFAS, and other contaminants using advanced filtration media—without the slime, without the hassle, and without putting sodium in your water.
âť“ How do forever chemicals get in Long Island water?
PFAS (forever chemicals) contaminate Long Island groundwater through several sources: industrial discharge from sites like the former Grumman Naval Weapons Industrial Reserve Plant, firefighting foam used at military installations and airports, and wastewater treatment plants. Because PFAS don't break down naturally, they persist in soil and water for decades. The Long Island aquifer—our sole source of drinking water—is particularly vulnerable because it's shallow and unconfined in many areas like Calverton.
Ready to Fix Your Calverton Water?
Join 2,000+ Long Island families who have gone plastic-free and taken control of their water quality.
đź“ž Call (631) 991-3995 Get Free TestingVisit our Islip showroom: 384 Moffitt Blvd, Islip, NY 11751
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