City Sues US Government, NY Agencies Over Lake Contamination

NEWBURGH, N.Y. (AP) — An upstate New York city is suing federal and state agencies over the contamination of its primary water supply.

Newburgh filed a lawsuit Monday accusing the U.S. Department of Defense, the New York Department of Transportation and 21 other public and private entities of allowing chemicals to contaminate the Hudson River city's water supply from Washington Lake. The Times Herald-Record reports the lawsuit asks a court to order the cleanup of the lake's watershed, payment for clean water and unspecified damages.

Newburgh alleges state and federal officials allowed chemical contaminants found in firefighting foams used at a local airport and National Guard air base to seep into the watershed.

There was no immediate comment from federal defense or state transportation officials.