Chemours PFAS Continue At West Virginia Plant

In the foothills of West Virginia, a chemical facility known for its toxic legacy continues to pump harmful substances into the Ohio River, despite a much-publicized federal crackdown. Chemours’ Washington Works plant, once operated by DuPont, remains a major source of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS — chemicals infamous for their longevity in the environment and the human body.

Downstream Utilities Struggle With Contamination

Far downstream, cities like Louisville, Kentucky, and Cincinnati, Ohio, face rising levels of PFAS in their drinking water. Peter Goodmann, Louisville Water’s water quality director, has tracked PFAS spikes in correlation with Chemours’ discharges.

“I’m trying to get EPA and West Virginia DEP…to hold their feet to the fire,” Goodmann said, describing inconsistent enforcement amid political changes.

PFAS are not new to the Ohio River. The Washington Works facility has discharged these chemicals since 1951. Among them, PFOA — phased out by manufacturers years ago due to its toxicity — continues to linger. Chemours also discharges GenX, a newer PFAS linked to kidney, liver, immune, and cancer risks.

Violations Persist Despite Permit and Consent Order

Chemours has consistently violated its wastewater permit since January 2022. The limits themselves are based on outdated federal health standards. Robert Sussman, a former EPA attorney, criticized the situation as a combination of outdated permits, corporate non-compliance, and weak federal enforcement.

In 2023, Chemours entered into a consent order with the EPA to reduce PFAS pollution. Yet, despite installing a stormwater plan, the company’s treatment proposal was rejected. Chemours had suggested injecting PFAS-laced wastewater underground — a method the EPA deemed dangerous and unlawful.

“The longer you draw this thing out, the more money they make,” said a former EPA attorney familiar with the case.

The EPA delayed its feedback on Chemours’ proposed plan until December 2024. The company, which reported $86 million in income last year, has not yet implemented effective pollution controls.

Limited Progress Amid Administrative Extensions

The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) acknowledged “significant noncompliance” at Washington Works. However, when Chemours’ permit expired in 2023, the state extended it without updating pollution limits.

James Giattina, a retired EPA official, said the absence of strict timelines for permit renewals creates regulatory loopholes. Efforts during the Obama administration to close these gaps were never finalized.

GenX limits currently used in West Virginia derive from a 2017 guideline in North Carolina. Meanwhile, North Carolina now mandates Chemours capture 99.99% of PFAS at its Fayetteville site, significantly reducing emissions and cleaning groundwater.

Why West Virginia hasn’t followed suit remains unclear. Bruno Pigott, former Indiana environmental chief, said states fear legal retaliation from companies if they impose stricter rules than the EPA.

Advocacy Groups Challenge State Action

Frustrated by limited state action, advocacy groups such as the West Virginia Rivers Coalition filed suit against Chemours in late 2023. The group had opposed a new permit allowing increased PFAS production, including Teflon materials for the growing semiconductor industry.

Despite new discharge limits in the permit, Chemours has again exceeded GenX and PFOA thresholds. State regulators issued formal violation notices in response.

Jess Loizeaux, a Chemours spokesperson, said increased production supports domestic semiconductor supply chains and U.S. national security. She added that Chemours aims to eliminate 99% of PFAS air and water emissions by 2030.

Long-Term Impacts on Communities

Across the river in Little Hocking, Ohio, PFAS levels — particularly GenX — have surged fivefold in recent years. David Altman, legal counsel for the local water utility, said Chemours funds a carbon filtration system to treat the community’s water. However, he warned the system may not continue to remove GenX effectively.

“If concentrations keep increasing, it may stop working,” Altman said. The EPA has chosen not to regulate GenX in drinking water, a decision he fears could leave communities unprotected.

Federal Rollbacks Threaten Future Enforcement

Recent developments in Washington add to the uncertainty. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has promised to hold polluters accountable. Yet, he’s also overseeing deep staff and budget cuts. Reports suggest 20% of EPA staff have applied for early retirement or deferred resignation since Donald Trump took office.

The Trump administration has proposed slashing EPA funding by 50% and moving hundreds of staff to different departments. Critics worry these changes undermine ongoing PFAS research and monitoring.

“There’s such a brain drain going on,” said the former EPA attorney. “Even the most established programs are limping along.”

EPA continues reviewing Chemours’ revised pollution control plans and PFAS sampling strategy, submitted only recently. The agency has not issued penalties yet but stated that future enforcement remains possible.

Reverse Osmosis and Water Conditioning: Effective Protection for Affected Areas

In communities affected by PFAS contamination, reverse osmosis (RO) systems and whole-home water conditioners offer vital protection. RO systems force water through a semipermeable membrane, effectively removing PFAS compounds including PFOA and GenX. These systems can be installed at the point of use or for whole-house filtration.

Whole-home water conditioners complement RO by improving overall water quality and protecting plumbing from chemical corrosion. Together, they offer a powerful defense for households near contaminated water sources like the Ohio River. For places like Little Hocking, where PFAS levels continue to rise, investing in these technologies is an essential step toward safer drinking water.

Source: E&E News