NC Orders Chemours To PFAS Test 150,000 Homes

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Picture yourself in a quiet North Carolina county, drawing water from your well, trusting it’s safe—until you hear “forever chemicals” might be lurking. Now, the state’s pushing Chemours to test 150,000 more homes for PFAS, a step toward answers for worried families. It’s a mix of hope, health fears, and a long-toxic legacy—let’s dig into this unfolding story.

North Carolina’s PFAS Push

North Carolina’s environmental watchdogs are cracking down—ordering Chemours to ramp up PFAS well testing around its Fayetteville Works plant. The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality announced Tuesday that 150,000 more homes in six counties—Bladen, Cumberland, Harnett, Hoke, Robeson, and Sampson—can get free sampling. It’s a massive jump, targeting private wells where folks sip every day. For families, it’s a chance to know what’s really in their water.

The state’s move comes after poring over well data and guessing how far PFAS—those stubborn “forever chemicals”—might have crept. “This expansion will speed up testing for families who rely on private wells,” NC DEQ says, promising quicker clarity. Harnett and Hoke join the list, pulling in thousands more who’ve wondered about their taps. It’s a reaction to a creeping threat, decades in the making.

Chemours, the company behind the mess, is on the hook—state orders mean they fund and run the show through Parsons Environment and Infrastructure, a third-party tester. “Chemours is responsible for conducting and funding the testing,” NC DEQ confirms, pinning accountability where it started. For residents, it’s free, but the cost to Chemours stacks up. It’s a small win—polluters paying, not taxpayers.

The PFAS Problem

PFAS—per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances—don’t mess around. “They don’t break down in the environment,” earning the “forever chemicals” label, and they’re tied to cancer, liver damage, and immune woes. Dumped for decades near Fayetteville Works, they’ve seeped into rivers, air, and groundwater, hitting wells hard. For North Carolinians, it’s a silent invader they can’t outrun.

The Cape Fear River’s been a dumping ground—Chemours let loose massive amounts of PFAS, tainting water for miles. “For decades, a North Carolina company dumped toxic chemicals into the Cape Fear River,” the WRAL Documentary notes, spotlighting a slow disaster. Now, 150,000 homes are in the crosshairs, tracing that poison’s path. It’s a grim inheritance, bubbling up in backyards.

Those “forever chemicals” pack a punch—cancer, liver issues, immune hits. “They’ve been linked to serious health problems,” NC DEQ warns, echoing fears from folks sipping well water daily. The state’s push to test more homes isn’t just data—it’s lives, kids, families hanging in the balance. For those affected, it’s not abstract—it’s personal.

Who’s In, How to Get Tested

If your drinking water comes from a private well in Bladen, Cumberland, Harnett, Hoke, Robeson, or Sampson, you’re in. “Residents who get their primary drinking water from a private well” can sign up, NC DEQ says, opening the door wide. Check the maps online—150,000 homes now qualify. It’s a lifeline for those off the city grid.

Getting tested is straightforward—call Chemours at (910) 678-1101, leave your details, or fill out their online form. “Residents can request a test” that way, NC DEQ outlines, making it accessible. Parsons will handle the sampling, no cost to you—just a call or click. It’s a small step, but one families can take.

NC DEQ’s not stopping at tests—a virtual public meeting’s set for April 1, 2025, at 6 p.m. Join via Webex or dial +1-415-655-0003 (webinar number 2434 811 3627, password Chemours2025). “NC DEQ will hold a virtual public meeting,” they promise, offering updates and answers. For worried locals, it’s a chance to hear straight from the source.

Lower Cape Fear Next?

The six counties are just the start—NC DEQ hints more’s coming. “Updates about well testing in the Lower Cape Fear region will be announced later,” they note, suggesting this net could widen. The Cape Fear River’s long been a PFAS hotspot—more homes might join the list. It’s a slow roll, but the ripple’s growing.

The WRAL Documentary, “Forever Chemicals: North Carolina’s Toxic Tap Water,” laid it bare—decades of dumping, a river ruined. “It contaminated the river, air, and groundwater,” it reveals, framing this testing push as a late response. For 150,000 homes, it’s a spotlight on a long-shadowed wrong. It’s not just news—it’s a wake-up call.

Home Water Safety

Reverse osmosis systems tackle PFAS head-on, filtering water through a tight membrane for clean drinking water. Whole-home conditioners cover all your water—sinks, showers, laundry—cutting those forever chemicals out. Both bridge the gap, ensuring water safety while Chemours tests roll out.

Source: WRAL News