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6 Checks Smithtown Homeowners Should Make After Oakside Drive Well Water Contamination

By Phountain Media Outlet Updated

7 Checks Smithtown Homeowners Should Make After Oakside Drive Well Water Contamination

Federal funding is helping extend public water to homes with PFAS‑impacted private wells along Oakside Drive and Landing Avenue in Smithtown, but that doesn’t answer every question for nearby homeowners. According to Patch (June 2026), $1.1 million in federal funding will be used to extend municipal water service to 26 homes whose private wells the Suffolk County Department of Health Services identified as containing PFAS. A May 2025 federal funding request for the project from Rep. Nick LaLota adds that the county also detected 1,4‑dioxane and volatile organic compounds in those wells.

If you live in or around this part of Smithtown, you may be wondering what this means for your well water safety, your long‑term options, and how to protect your home’s water.

This checklist walks through six practical checks Smithtown homeowners can make right now, whether you’re on a private well or already connected to public water.

1. Check How Close Your Smithtown Property Is to the Affected Wells

Before you decide on next steps, you need to know how close your property is to the area where PFAS contamination was found.

According to Patch, in 2019 the Suffolk County Department of Health Services surveyed private drinking water wells along Landing Avenue, Oakside Drive and Valley Road in Smithtown. As the process continued, officials determined that a water main extension would be needed to connect 26 homes along Oakside Drive and Landing Avenue to public drinking water.

Important location considerations

  1. Street location:
    • High‑priority: Homes directly on Oakside Drive or Landing Avenue with private wells
    • Nearby concern: Homes on adjacent or connecting streets, especially if they share similar groundwater conditions
  2. Water source:
    • Private well: You are responsible for monitoring and managing your own water quality
    • Public water: You receive water from the public system, which is subject to regulatory testing
  3. Past notifications:
    • Letters from Suffolk County or the Town of Smithtown: These may indicate prior sampling or eligibility for hookups
    • Any past well testing reports: Keep them together for comparison over time

If you’re on a private well anywhere in Smithtown, it’s worth learning more about local well water issues and how they’re managed. The resource on what your well water isn’t telling you can help you understand common risks and testing options.

2. Grasp the Implications of PFAS and 1,4‑Dioxane Contamination in the Affected Private Wells

The funding announcement makes it clear that the affected private wells were identified as containing PFAS, which Patch, citing environmental officials, describes as long‑lasting chemicals that can contaminate drinking water.

Rep. Nick LaLota’s May 2, 2025 funding request for the Town of Smithtown project gives more detail. According to the letter, the county’s survey found 1,4‑dioxane at up to 2.59 parts per billion (ppb), above New York’s drinking water standard of 1 ppb, and concentrations of PFOS and PFOA above the state’s drinking water standards. Those detections prompted the state and county health departments to recommend not drinking the water. The project would extend the Smithtown Water District’s system to serve the 26 homes.

PFAS fundamentals explained

  • PFAS chemicals: A large family of man‑made compounds used in products like nonstick cookware, firefighting foams, and stain‑resistant fabrics
  • Persistence: Often called “forever chemicals” because they do not easily break down in the environment
  • Groundwater impact: Once PFAS enter soil or groundwater, they can move through aquifers and reach private wells

Which drinking water limits apply, and to whom

  • New York: In 2020 New York set maximum contaminant levels of 10 parts per trillion (ppt) each for PFOA and PFOS and 1 ppb for 1,4‑dioxane in public drinking water, according to the New York State Department of Health.
  • Federal: In April 2024 the EPA finalized limits of 4.0 ppt for PFOA and for PFOS, with compliance required by 2029. In May 2026 EPA proposed letting systems request two more years (to 2031) for those two limits; that proposal was not final as of September 2026.
  • Private wells: These limits apply to public water systems, not private wells. Private well owners are responsible for testing their own water, according to the EPA. New York does not regulate PFAS in private wells; the state Department of Health uses the public drinking water standards as guidance when it evaluates private well results and recommends steps to reduce exposure, according to its PFAS in Private Wells fact sheet (December 2021).

PFAS issues are not limited to one neighborhood. For a broader view of regional concerns, see the overview on Long Island’s PFAS problem.

3. Evaluate Your Choices: Municipal Water Connection Compared to Well Water Treatment

For the 26 homes identified by Suffolk County, federal funding will help cover the cost of extending municipal water service. Town officials said, according to Patch, that without it the cost of converting from private wells to public water could have fallen on homeowners, potentially amounting to tens of thousands of dollars per household.

That still leaves questions for:

  • Nearby homes that were not included in the extension
  • Smithtown residents elsewhere in town who rely on private wells
  • Homeowners on public water who are considering in‑home filtration

Options by situation

SituationPrimary OptionOptional Addition
Private well in or near Oakside Drive / Landing AvenueConnect to public water if available through the extension projectConsider whole‑home filtration, configured around current test results
Private well elsewhere in SmithtownMaintain and test your well regularlyAdd customised whole‑house filtration tailored to your water
Already on public water in SmithtownRely on utility testing and treatmentInstall point‑of‑entry filtration for your entire home

pHountain Water Filters focuses on whole‑house filtration systems that treat water at the main line so every tap, shower, and appliance receives filtered water. You can learn what this looks like locally on the Smithtown water filtration service page.

4. Arrange Up-to-Date Water Testing to Assess Your Home’s Safety

Whether or not your address was in the original 2019 survey, up‑to‑date testing is one of the most important steps you can take.

Reasons to keep testing current in Smithtown

  • Conditions change: Groundwater quality can change over time
  • PFAS are mobile: Once present in groundwater, these compounds can travel, and new wells can be affected later
  • Peace of mind: Even if you plan to connect to public water, knowing the status of your existing well helps you make informed decisions

Recommended testing types

  1. Baseline well water panel
    • General chemistry: pH, hardness, and other indicators
    • Sediment and impurities: Cloudiness, particulates
    • Common contaminants: Metals, some industrial chemicals
  2. Targeted PFAS and 1,4‑dioxane testing
    • Certified lab analysis: Looks for key PFAS compounds and 1,4‑dioxane, which were found in the Smithtown wells along with volatile organic compounds
    • Trend tracking: Repeat testing over time can help identify changes
  3. Post‑filtration testing (if you install a system)
    • System performance check: Confirms that the system is functioning as intended
    • Maintenance planning: Helps determine when service or upgrades may be needed

The Suffolk County Department of Health Services publishes private well water testing guidance for well owners in the county.

Measuring PFAS and 1,4‑dioxane at the levels regulators use (parts per trillion and parts per billion) requires analysis by a certified laboratory; a free in‑home water test is a starting point for understanding your water and your options. If you want a professional look at your home’s water, you can request a free in‑home water test to get started.

5. Weigh Temporary Measures Against Longer-Term Options

For the 26 homes, Rep. LaLota’s funding request describes temporary measures like bottled water provision as inadequate and says connecting the homes to a public water supply is the most effective solution. Until a connection is in place, you still need a plan for daily water use inside your home.

Immediate measures

  • Bottled water deliveries: Useful for drinking and some cooking
  • Pitcher filters and faucet filters: Can help with taste and some contaminants at a single tap
  • Boiling water: Helpful for some biological contaminants, but does not address PFAS or many chemicals

For PFAS, the New York State Department of Health’s fact sheet says exposure comes mainly from drinking the water and eating foods prepared with it; household uses such as cleaning, washing and bathing do not result in significant exposure.

Whole‑home filtration options

  • Whole‑house filtration systems at the main water entry
  • Customised filtration based on your specific well or municipal water profile
  • Professional installation that integrates with your plumbing

If you’re weighing bottled water against a permanent system, this comparison of water filters vs bottled water breaks down cost, convenience, and household impact over time.

6. Mapping Out Your Next Actions: From Evaluation to System Setup

Once you’ve confirmed your location, understood the PFAS context, and updated your testing, you can decide how to protect your home going forward.

How the process works with pHountain

  1. Request a professional water analysis. A technician evaluates your well or municipal water, reviews any existing test results, and listens to your household concerns.
  2. Review customised filtration recommendations. Based on your water profile, you’ll see options such as a whole‑house system, under‑sink solutions, or a combination approach.
  3. Choose a system configuration:
    • pHountain Filtration System, a whole‑home (point‑of‑entry) system with a cartridge‑free media design intended to reduce common impurities in tap water
    • Additional point‑of‑use filters at specific taps
  4. Schedule professional installation. Our installers integrate the system into your main water line, test operation, and confirm proper function.
  5. Learn how to operate and maintain your system. You’ll be shown how the system works and how to recognise when routine maintenance or follow‑up testing may be needed.
  6. Re‑test periodically. Ongoing testing helps verify that your overall water quality remains consistent, especially if local conditions change.

A whole‑home system is configured around what testing finds. For any specific contaminant, ask for independent certification data (for example NSF/ANSI listings) for the exact system you are considering.

If you’re in Smithtown and want to understand exactly how a system would work in your home, explore the overview of whole‑home water filtration in Suffolk County and how installations are tailored to local conditions.

Ways pHountain Water Filters Assists Smithtown Residents

pHountain Water Filters serves Long Island, with a strong emphasis on:

  • Local water knowledge: Familiarity with issues like PFAS, industrial chemicals, and sediment in regional groundwater
  • Whole‑house treatment: Systems installed at the point of entry, so water is treated before it reaches any fixture
  • Professional installation: Trained technicians handle integration with your plumbing, testing, and system setup
  • Ongoing support: Maintenance and customer support

Questions About Smithtown Well Water and PFAS

Are all private wells in Smithtown affected by PFAS?

Not necessarily. The federal funding Patch reported covers 26 homes with PFAS‑impacted private wells along Oakside Drive and Landing Avenue, identified after a 2019 survey of wells in that area; Rep. LaLota’s funding request notes 1,4‑dioxane and volatile organic compounds in those wells as well. However, these contaminants can appear in other locations, and the only way to know your situation is to test your own well.

If my home is near Oakside Drive but not one of the 26, should I still be concerned?

If you are on a private well close to Oakside Drive, Landing Avenue, or Valley Road, it is prudent to treat your property as potentially at risk until you have current test results. Groundwater does not follow street boundaries, and PFAS can move through aquifers. Even if you are not eligible for the publicly funded water main extension, you can still:

  • Arrange independent water testing
  • Ask about whole‑house filtration options once you have current test results
  • Continue to monitor updates from local officials

I’m already on public water in Smithtown. Do I still need filtration?

Public water systems must meet federal and state drinking water limits, including New York’s 10 ppt limits for PFOA and PFOS, and they publish an annual water quality report showing what they tested for and found. The EPA explains how to find your supplier’s report. You may, however, choose to add in‑home filtration to:

  • Address taste and odour preferences
  • Protect plumbing fixtures and appliances from sediment and impurities

A whole‑house filtration system can work alongside public water, treating water as it enters your home.

How quickly will the new water main extension fix the problem for affected homes?

The Patch report says $1.1 million in federal funding has been allocated to extend municipal water service to the impacted homes, but it does not provide a construction timeline. For schedule details, homeowners should monitor official communications from the Town of Smithtown and relevant local agencies.

Will a whole‑house system help if I eventually connect to public water?

A whole‑house filtration system can stay in place whether your source is a private well or the municipal supply. If you transition from well water to public water later, a properly configured system can:

  • Continue to provide filtered water throughout the home
  • Be re‑evaluated against the municipal water you now receive

Ready to take the next step toward a clearer picture of your water in your Smithtown home? Visit the Smithtown water filtration page or request a Free In‑Home Water Test to discuss options tailored to your property.

This blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Water quality conditions can vary significantly between homes, even within the same neighborhood. Homeowners should consult appropriate local authorities, licensed professionals, and certified laboratories for testing, regulatory guidance, and health-related questions before making decisions about their water supply or treatment options.

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