DEC says 70 days is enough. We disagree. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has denied our coalition’s request for an additional 30 days to review and comment on its proposed regulations governing the treatment and disposal of landfill leachate. DEC’s justification is remarkably brief: “Given the limited size of the […]
Join us for a special webinar unveiling of our major new statewide report, The Leachate Loophole in New York State, which exposes the regulatory failures creating the “leachate loophole”, allowing poisonous “garbage water” from New York’s landfills to enter waterways across the state. There are two opportunities to attend are available on Thursday, August 13: […]
On July 1, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) officially opened the public comment period for its proposed landfill leachate treatment regulations. With the publication of the proposed rule, we have learned that the state is providing a little over 60 days for public comment-a disappointing timeframe given the scope and […]
Today, 21 environmental and community organizations sent a letter to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) asking the agency to provide a 90-day public comment period for its upcoming rule on how landfill leachate is treated and disposed of. The coalition submitted the request ahead of the rulemaking process beginning, asking the […]
Takeaways As New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) develops rules requiring landfills to treat leachate prior to disposal at municipal Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs), we must also address what will be done with the concentrated toxic contaminants once they are removed. The state has suggested that this concentrated material – sometimes called “residual” […]
At a Glance New York State is marking ten years of responding to PFAS with a progress report and public events The report lists many actions the state is taking and reflects an attempt at collaborative, comprehensive approach The milestone is a moment to ask: How did we get here in the first place? The […]
January 31, 2026 Last week, New York River Watch submitted formal comments to the New York State Legislature as part of the joint Senate Finance and Assembly Ways and Means 2026-2027 budget hearing. Our testimony focused on one of New York’s most urgent—and least understood—threats to drinking water: the ongoing practice of sending untreated […]
After sustained advocacy and coordination with our partners across New York State, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced two public, virtual presentations on its upcoming rule for On-site Treatment and Disposal of Landfill Leachate. This is an important step forward—and one we’ve been championing alongside our partners. These presentations will […]
At a Glance A coalition of groups, led by New York River Watch (NYRW), is asking the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to pause its rulemaking on onsite leachate treatment and disposal. Until now, NYRW has been urging DEC to begin this rulemaking as soon as possible. However, new information shows that DEC […]
The Ulster County Environmental Management Council (EMC) has formally urged the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to take immediate action to protect public health and water quality by closing the “Leachate Loophole.” The EMC is an advisory body made up of representatives from municipalities across Ulster County. Members are appointed by the […]