David Lombardo is reporting for Capitol Confidential the state Senate unanimously passed legislation May 8, to strengthen New York’s ability to hold polluters accountable. The measure gives water authorities the right to bring lawsuits against polluters up to three years after contaminants are detected, rather than three years after the contamination occurred, as existing state law has been interpreted to mean. “When deep-pocketed companies pollute our water and contaminate our drinking water, they should be responsible for the cost of cleaning it up, not ratepayers. Safe, clean drinking water is a human right and we must treat it as such,” said Sen. Jim Gaughran, a Long Island Democrat and sponsor of the measure. The legislation is currently in the Assembly’s committee process. Read the full story at Capitol Confidential, a Times Union blog.