Under a bill recently passed in state Senate [1], Duchess and Rockland County residents will be reimbursed for voluntarily testing their wells for contaminants, according to The Poughkeepsie Journal [2].

Potential home buyers who choose to test their wells can receive a tax credit. Residents near Superfund sites, where private wells require mandatory testing, will also be compensated. New York's Hazardous Waste Remediation Oversight and Assistance Account will handle the refunds.

Negotiations are underway with Assembly [3] members to pass the bill and get it signed by Governor Paterson [4].