Update on the PFOS/PFOA incident in Granville

GRANVILLE – NYVT Media is learning more about the firefighting foam that appeared to contain a concentration of PFOS/PFOA that leaked from a building on the Saint Gobain property on Friday. The foam leaked through a drainage channel into the Indian River and eventually into the Mettawee River, according to the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). The DEC says the leak was the result of equipment malfunction due to a power outage. The agency also says that due to rain and conditions on site, it was determined that the foam was out of control.

Granville Mayor Paul Labas said the spill flowed across Telescope Casual Furniture’s property before emptying into the Indian River. This was confirmed in an internal memo obtained by NYVT Media. The memo was sent to Telescope employees regarding the PFOS/PFOA spill. Telescope officials have confirmed its authenticity. The memo states: You may have noticed that NYS DEC has been on our property and adjacent properties since last Saturday. Spill mitigation efforts are also taking place on the creeks and rivers in our area.

Over the weekend, an oil spill occurred at Saint Gobain Performance Plastics near our property. Contaminated material entered the surface trench at Telescope and then flowed off the property into the Indian River and eventually to the Mettawee where the two rivers converge at the intersection of NYS Route 22 and Mettowee Street.

Saint Gobain is responsible for the oil spill. Saint Gobain and DEC are dealing with it. We are monitoring and supporting DEC with our team and environmental experts.

For safety reasons, our water comes from the Granville water system and spills are located outside of our buildings. The closest area is behind the large propane tank.

As soon as we know more, we will share the information with you. If you have any questions, please contact me. The memo is signed by Kathy Juckett, Telescope’s President and CEO.

DEC says in its statement to NYVT Media that the New York State Department of Health will review any potential impacts to the local water supply. Mayor Labas says the contamination is leaching from their water supply, but if Granville residents are concerned and want to have their water tested, they can contact the municipality and the tests will be done free of charge. Mayor Labas says DEC told him they believe the impacts from the release of the foam are negligible, but that testing and assessments of the soil and affected waters are continuing.

NYVT Media hopes to have more on this story soon.