NC DEQ Orders Chemours to Expand PFAS Well Testing

CLIFF NOTES
● NC ordered expanded PFAS testing around the Chemours facility.
● Thousands of additional wells are now eligible.
● Contamination is linked to industrial operations.
● Residents can request testing through state programs.
● Testing helps identify exposure risks.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has ordered Chemours to widen its testing of private drinking water wells. The move extends eligibility for testing to more households across New Hanover, Brunswick, Columbus, and Pender counties. This directive follows a detailed data review tied to the ongoing enforcement of the 2019 consent order between DEQ, Chemours, and Cape Fear River Watch.

14,000 New Households Now Eligible

Chemours must now include roughly 14,000 additional residences in its private well testing efforts. This expansion stems from new data analysis identifying areas with potential PFAS contamination. Although not all the residences rely on private wells, the order targets those that do, since PFAS contamination poses significant health risks through drinking water exposure.

To qualify for testing, the private well must serve as the home’s main drinking water source.

How Residents Can Request Testing

Eligible residents in the expanded areas can contact Chemours by calling (910) 678-1100 or by filling out an online form. If prompted to leave a message, residents must provide their full name, phone number, email address, and mailing address. Chemours or its contractor, Parsons Environment and Infrastructure, will use this information to coordinate testing.

Parsons, acting as Chemours’ authorized third-party contractor, will handle the well sampling process. Residents who previously requested testing and now fall within the expanded zone will also be contacted directly.

Community Engagement and Next Steps

To inform the affected communities, DEQ and Chemours will hold a virtual public meeting. Details about this meeting, including how to join, are available on the DEQ’s official website. The session will offer information on the expanded testing plan, the sampling process, and the steps Chemours must take under the consent order.

This development marks another chapter in DEQ’s oversight of Chemours following widespread PFAS pollution concerns in southeastern North Carolina. The agency continues to press for greater corporate accountability and better access to safe drinking water for rural and suburban residents.

Long-Term Water Safety: Role of Reverse Osmosis and Whole-Home Water Conditioners

For residents affected by PFAS contamination, using reverse osmosis filtration systems can significantly reduce exposure. These systems remove many harmful substances, including PFAS, from drinking water. Whole-home water conditioners also offer broader protection by treating all water entering the home, which may reduce chemical exposure during bathing or cooking. Together, these solutions help ensure safer water in households dependent on private wells in contaminated areas.

Source: Brunswick County Civic Alerts