N.Y. ENV Law § 15-3103

§ 15-3103. Legislative findings and intent.\n The legislature hereby finds and declares that:\n 1. The waters of the state are one of its most essential natural\nresources.\n 2. Adequate supplies of good quality groundwater are critical to the\nhealth and welfare of the residents of the state and to their economic\nwell-being. Groundwater contamination exists at levels which exceed\napplicable standards, criteria and guidance values at many sites around\nthe state, including inactive hazardous waste disposal sites, brownfield\nsites, and sites contaminated by the discharge of petroleum. The levels\nand types of contaminants, the extent of contamination, and the present\nand potential impacts on public health and the environment vary widely\nfrom site to site, but cumulatively could endanger the integrity of the\nwater resources of New York state.\n 3. Due to the complexity of groundwater contamination problems, the\nrestoration of groundwater to its classified use may not currently be\nfeasible at some sites.\n 4. It is the intent of the legislature that groundwater be protected\nfor its classified use, the highest of which is drinking water.\n