NC Small Businesses Are Suffering From PFAS

In southeastern North Carolina, small business owners are grappling with a public health crisis caused by PFAS contamination—without consistent regulatory support. In Wilmington, coffee shops like Port City Java have spent thousands of dollars filtering toxic chemicals from water, while chemical companies like Chemours remain locked in legal disputes with public utilities. As lawmakers struggle to pass meaningful legislation, small businesses are left carrying the financial burden.

Toxic Water and Filtered Coffee

Near downtown Wilmington, a Port City Java cafe buzzes with the sound of espresso machines. Baristas prepare drinks for a steady stream of customers, but few patrons consider what’s behind every cup. For CEO Steve Schnitzler, the source and quality of the water matter a great deal.

“All of our cafes are on the public water system, wherever they’re located,” Schnitzler explained. That was never a concern—until PFAS contamination was discovered in the Cape Fear River in 2017.

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are often called “forever chemicals” due to their persistence in the environment and the human body. Exposure has been linked to health issues such as reduced fertility and increased cancer risk.

By 2018, Schnitzler had installed whole-house filtration systems at every Port City Java location. The initial cost exceeded $7,000 per site, with another $8,000 spent on maintenance. There was no legal requirement to take this step, but Schnitzler felt morally obligated.

“You are giving somebody something that they’re going to eat or drink,” he said. “And if it is contaminated, it is harmful.”

Public Utilities Step In, But Challenges Persist

In 2022, the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority completed upgrades to its largest treatment plant, adding granular activated carbon filters to remove PFAS from the city’s drinking water. But this did not solve the problem at its source. Utilities like Cape Fear continue to pursue lawsuits against Chemours and DuPont, the companies responsible for the river’s contamination.

While these legal efforts proceed, the state’s legislative response has lagged. Republican Representative Ted Davis of Wilmington introduced a bill for the third time that would make PFAS manufacturers liable for cleanup under specific conditions: they must produce PFAS from scratch, discharge it into water, and that water must enter a public utility.

Twice before, the bill failed to move beyond committee review. Powerful opposition from the North Carolina Chamber of Commerce has played a central role.

Political Opposition and Business Interests

The NC Chamber has consistently opposed Davis’ bill. In its 2021-2022 and 2023 reviews, the organization argued the proposal would “expand the scope of company liability retroactively” and risk the state’s business climate.

This year is no different. Despite declining interview requests, the Chamber issued a statement saying, “The bill discourages businesses from coming to and expanding in North Carolina because of the omnipresence of PFAS in consumer and commercial goods.”

Dana Sargent, executive director of Cape Fear River Watch, sees the Chamber’s stance as self-serving. “They are doing that themselves. They’re proud of their opposition to these bills,” she said.

Sargent also accused the Chamber of exerting undue influence on the Environmental Management Commission, which oversees environmental regulations. In 2023, the Chamber asked regulators to delay PFAS rules, claiming North Carolina’s manufacturers had a track record of responsible behavior.

“That’s a gross mischaracterization,” Sargent responded. She pointed to Chemours’ record, which includes actions compelled only through court orders, such as a 2019 consent decree requiring cleanup efforts.

Small Businesses Absorb the Costs

Back in Wilmington, Schnitzler says the Chamber’s defense of Chemours ignores the costs paid by local businesses. “Why are we worrying about one in Fayetteville that is poisoning us?” he asked, referring to the company’s facility in that town.

Jonathan Bridges, executive director of the Cape Fear Business Alliance, agrees the financial burden is heavy for small operations. “It’s been a really big cost for business owners here, especially those service industry businesses that serve food (and) beverages,” he said.

The Cape Fear River Watch recently launched a survey to quantify PFAS’s impact on small businesses. By May 7, 126 people had responded. More than half said PFAS had directly affected their operations. When asked whether the NC Chamber should support regulation of PFAS emissions, 96% of respondents said yes.

Ongoing Legislative Stalemate

Despite repeated attempts, no substantial PFAS regulation has passed the North Carolina General Assembly. The political divide continues, with business interests often pitted against environmental advocates and small business owners.

The NC Chamber insists on “regulating to the highest safe dose, with a reasonable margin of error,” but critics argue this language obscures the cost of inaction.

“Business does not have the luxury of boiling this down to a pithy comment,” the Chamber’s statement read. But for businesses like Port City Java, the numbers tell a simpler story—thousands of dollars spent on filtration, no help from regulators, and an uncertain path forward.

“I might not fix anything,” Schnitzler said. “But I’m gonna try.”

Reverse Osmosis and Water Conditioners: A Practical Solution

Reverse osmosis filtration has become a critical tool for businesses in Wilmington and beyond. These systems force water through a semi-permeable membrane, effectively removing PFAS and other contaminants. Whole-home water conditioners enhance this by reducing sediment and chemical buildup, preserving equipment and ensuring clean water throughout the premises.

For businesses that rely on water in food and beverage preparation, this combination offers both safety and consistency. While the initial investment can be high, these systems remain one of the few ways small businesses can protect their customers in the absence of enforceable regulations.

Source: WUNC