Suffolk County health officials have started a new round of free PFAS testing for private wells in the hamlet of Orient, N.Y., on Long Island's North Fork, and are sampling wells near a closed town landfill in Cutchogue, the North Fork Sun reported on October 26, 2026. County Executive Ed Romaine said the Suffolk County Department of Health Services is offering the tests for PFOA and PFOS, two PFAS "forever chemicals," to nearly 800 Orient homes, and that the round began last week, according to the paper.

We are the water experts. Here is what the county is testing, what it found and what it means if your home is on a private well.

Why Orient

Poquatuck Hall, a shingled community hall on the main street of Orient, New York — *Poquatuck Hall in Orient, N.Y. Photo: DanTD via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).*

Earlier contamination. About four years ago, testing found PFAS in private wells along Village Lane, affecting about 175 homes, the North Fork Sun reported. Firefighting foam used by the Orient Fire Department was identified as the most likely source, and the department agreed to pay for remediation, according to the paper.
Filters in place. Filtration systems at affected properties are maintained by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the paper reported.
A wider look. The new round covers nearly 800 Orient homes; the earlier contamination affected about 175 along Village Lane.
A community briefing. The Orient Association plans a December 6 Zoom meeting with Jason Hime, a principal public health engineer with the county health department, to answer residents' questions, the paper reported.

What Cutchogue sampling has found so far

Rows of labeled water sample bottles on a laboratory bench — *Illustrative. Water samples awaiting lab analysis. Photo: Stéphane Lesbats, Ifremer, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0).*

The county has been investigating private wells around the closed Southold Town landfill and transfer station in Cutchogue since July, according to the North Fork Sun. The landfill was capped and closed in the 1990s, the paper reported. So far:

35 homes were identified for possible testing.
8 owners responded; 21 declined testing.
4 homes were sampled, with results pending; 1 owner denied access and 1 home was vacant.
One home exceeded New York limits for both PFOA and PFOS, the paper reported.

New York's drinking water limit for public water systems is 10 parts per trillion (ppt) each for PFOA and PFOS, according to the Orient Association, which points residents to the state's guidance on PFAS in private wells.

What it means at home

Water running from a kitchen tap into a steel sink — *Illustrative. Photo: Fourteenzerozero via Wikimedia Commons (CC0).*

Private wells are not covered by the testing rules that apply to public water systems, so the owner is usually the one who has to ask. Free county testing like this is an easy way to find out what is in your own well.

What the water experts recommend

Take the free test if you are eligible. Orient and Cutchogue residents can contact the Suffolk County Department of Health Services Office of Water Resources at 631-852-5810, according to the Orient Association.
Test a private well anywhere. Outside these programs, use a certified lab that tests for PFAS. New York's Department of Health has a page on PFAS in private wells.
Match the filter to the job. Start with our PFAS guide, and see our reverse osmosis reviews for specific systems. Replace home filter cartridges on the maker's schedule.
Consider a different starting point. Some households also look at atmospheric water generation, which makes drinking water from humidity in the air rather than from wells. It uses energy. Our sister brand WaterVO makes one.

Sources

Deborah Wetzel, "Suffolk County expands testing for 'forever chemicals' in private wells in Orient and Cutchogue," North Fork Sun, October 26, 2026: northforksun.com
Orient Association, "SCDHS PFAS Investigation": orientassociation.org

Photo: Orient Historic District sign on NY 25, by DanTD via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0); cropped, headline added in the featured image.

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