It's no secret that Long Island has the most polluted drinking water in the state. The problems are many, including 1,4-dioxane, PFOA and PFOS contamination, but also nitrogen waste from our septic systems.

The federal government has many roles to play, including helping to pay for sewers and clean, nitrogen removing septic systems, and establishing pollution standards to curb toxic waste.

The EPA was designed to protect us, and the current administration has reversed its course. Right now, that is leaving communities in crisis — most notably, Flint, Michigan.

In 2014, the news broke that the people of Flint, Michigan faced toxic lead poisoning from a contaminated water supply. The consequences were devastating: more than 100,000 residents were exposed to elevated lead levels.

Today, the people of Flint are still at risk:

• Pipe replacement hasn't been completed in all impacted homes.
• Charges have been dropped against public officials who were in charge with no clear timeline for a new investigation.
• The federal government has not established sufficient new rules to prevent this from happening again.

It's time for a broader national intervention by the EPA, to get to the bottom of the Flint water crisis, and for Congress to make things right. I've joined forces with four members of Congress and seven progressive organizations to co-sponsor a petition calling on Congress and the EPA to act.

Sign the petition: Demand Congress and the EPA investigate the Flint water crisis, and then get involved to ensure every resident of Flint has access to clean, safe drinking water.

As your Congressman, I will work tirelessly to protect Long Islanders, not the product manufacturers who profit off poisoning our water. But it starts by showing the same willingness to help those afflicted by toxic water elsewhere. Join me in standing with the people of Flint, Michigan — sign the petition.

Perry