Albany County Legislature Passes Local Law to Set Notification Standards Between County, Municipalities about Threats to Drinking Water

The Albany County Legislature followed through on its promise to safeguard public health on Monday.

Local Law B for 2025 passed unanimously and sets effective, efficient, and ongoing notification communication standards for County health officials to follow up with local municipalities, the County Legislature, and the County Executive's Office, if a threat to water in the County is detected.

The law was introduced by Chairwoman Joanne Cunningham in March after the discovery of E. Coli in private wells in Albany County joined rising concerns about landfill leachate (chemically-laced water runoff) and public questions about presence and disposal of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as "forever chemicals," in Albany County.

Cunningham represents the County Legislative District No. 34, which encompasses central Delmar.

The legislation received overwhelming bipartisan support.

The local law, which joins the County's ongoing moratorium on the use of biosolids to protect residents, goes to the County Executive's Office for his signature.

Albany County Legislature Chairwoman Joanne Cunningham said: "This law, which we expedited through our process to directly address a pressing need for County residents, puts in place a structure that helps our experts coordinate and collaborate. It helps ensure that all of Albany County's residents will always have access to clean water. That isn't an optional luxury, but a required, basic necessity."

Albany County Legislature Deputy Chairwoman Wanda Willingham said: "One of the subtle ways that communities have been marginalized in the past is through the manipulation of environmental justice. This law stands in stark contrast to that by helping our environmental, water, and health experts work together for the betterment of everyone in Albany County."

Albany County Democratic Majority Leader Dennis Feeney said: "Protecting public health is a cornerstone of good government, and when issues arise regarding contamination in our drinking water, we must act quickly to notify the public. This local law expands the notice requirement for the County Department of Health to include numerous elected officials in local government and municipalities. By increasing the number of local officials notified, we can all work together and reach a broader number of people in a shorter amount of time. As Democratic Majority Leader, I am proud to support this local law and believe it will help further inform and protect the People of Albany County."

Albany County Executive Dan McCoy said: "This law is a common-sense measure that prioritizes public health. By closing communication gaps and improving intergovernmental coordination we can respond to emerging threats quickly and efficiently. I'm grateful to my colleagues in the Albany County Legislature for moving this forward as we await the pending outcome of our public hearing."