Rocco Plant Has NC’s Highest PFAS in Drinking Water

CLIFF NOTES

• Robeson County supplies drinking water with unsafe PFAS levels to 66,000 people.
• The Rocco Plant has the highest PFAS levels in treated water in North Carolina.
• A nearby county-run landfill likely causes the contamination by leaking PFAS.
• Every home tested near the plant had PFAS levels above EPA limits.
• SELC plans to sue the county if it doesn’t stop the pollution and provide safe water.

In Robeson County, North Carolina, families face an invisible threat each time they turn on their taps. Water meant to hydrate, nourish, and clean now carries unsafe levels of toxic PFAS compounds—chemicals that persist indefinitely in both the environment and the human body. These substances, widely referred to as “forever chemicals,” have been linked to cancer, immune dysfunction, and other severe health risks.

The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), acting on behalf of Winyah Rivers Alliance and the St. Pauls Community Association for Progress, has issued a formal notice to Robeson County. The warning accuses the county of violating federal law by distributing contaminated water to approximately 66,000 residents. SELC has made clear its intent to pursue legal action unless county leaders swiftly address the crisis.

Contamination from a County-Operated Landfill

The heart of the issue lies just across the road from the Rocco Water Treatment Plant. The county-run Robeson County Landfill spans 537 acres and has a documented history of accepting waste from Chemours, a manufacturer of PFAS compounds such as GenX. Leachate, or liquid runoff from the landfill, contains extremely high concentrations of PFAS. Groundwater tests under the landfill confirm further contamination.

This pollution directly impacts the nearby Rocco Plant, which draws water from four wells located less than a mile away. However, the facility lacks the filtration technology necessary to remove PFAS. Despite operating a dozen water treatment plants across the county, officials continue to rely on the Rocco Plant’s output for public distribution.

Record-High PFAS Levels in Drinking Water

Recent tests revealed that the Rocco Plant produces the highest PFAS levels in finished drinking water of any treatment facility in North Carolina. Notably, it also records the highest concentration of GenX found in any groundwater-based public water system nationwide.

Tap water samples from homes within two miles of the plant showed levels of PFOA—a harmful PFAS compound—more than three times the Environmental Protection Agency’s enforceable drinking water limit. GenX concentrations in these homes also surpassed the EPA’s limit by a similar margin.

Every single household tested showed unsafe PFAS levels in their tap water.

Community Pleas Ignored

Local voices have repeatedly raised the alarm. Community members, advocacy groups, and environmental experts have all called for action. However, Robeson County has not taken meaningful steps to address the issue.

“We are taking this step because we are concerned for the health and safety of our families and community, and our pleas for action have fallen on deaf ears,” said Sibyl Farr, executive director of the St. Pauls Community Association for Progress. “For our families, schools, churches, and businesses to thrive and be safe, we need clean water when we turn on our faucets. Contaminated water is not acceptable.”

Legal Threat Follows Inaction

SELC’s warning follows a similar legal case in 2024. In that instance, the organization filed and settled a lawsuit against the operator of North Carolina’s largest landfill. The resulting agreement forced the operator to reduce PFAS discharges, address air quality problems, and provide relief to a historically underserved rural community.

In Robeson County, attorneys say the situation echoes many of the same failings. “A county knowingly supplying drinking water that is highly contaminated with toxic PFAS to its residents is shocking and illegal and it needs to stop,” said Maia Hutt, senior attorney at SELC. “We’ve repeatedly urged the county to stop the landfill’s PFAS pollution and clean up its drinking water as required by law and for people’s health and safety. People in Robeson County deserve clean drinking water, just like families and communities everywhere.”

Profits Prioritized Over Public Health

While public concern rises, county officials continue to operate the Rocco Plant without PFAS filtration. Financial records show that Robeson County’s solid waste operations earned $3 million in profits during the 2024–25 fiscal year. Despite this, officials have not allocated funds to improve the plant’s filtration capacity or to switch water sources.

SELC and its partners have outlined several reasonable steps the county could take, including:

• Providing free bottled water until safe tap water is available

• Switching the community’s water supply to a different, uncontaminated treatment facility

• Using landfill profits or applying for state funding to install PFAS treatment technology

The county has not implemented any of these measures.

Pollution Spreads Beyond Water Lines

The impact of PFAS contamination extends far beyond household faucets. Leachate from the landfill has begun infiltrating nearby groundwater and local streams. These waterways feed into the Lumber River, also known as the Lumbee River, a vital resource for fishing, hunting, and community recreation.

“Not only is the landfill contaminating our drinking water, but it’s leaching into groundwater and streams that feed the Lumbee River,” said Jeff Currie, Lumber Riverkeeper at Winyah Rivers Alliance. “We know from fish advisories across the Carolinas that eating fish contaminated with PFAS is unsafe. It’s irresponsible and illegal for Robeson County to allow this pollution to continue.”

Environmental Injustice and a Long History of Neglect

Robeson County ranks among the most racially diverse and economically disadvantaged regions in North Carolina. Residents here have long shouldered the burdens of environmental degradation, with limited resources to fight back. The landfill, located near the town of St. Pauls, has been cited for environmental violations since 1993, yet regulatory agencies allowed it to expand.

The site now impacts groundwater and Big Marsh Swamp, which flows into the Lumber River. For many, the continued operation of the landfill and the use of the Rocco Plant symbolize a larger pattern of environmental injustice. These policies disproportionately affect communities of color and low-income families, who often have the least political power to demand change.

Clean Water as a Basic Right

The right to clean drinking water stands at the core of public health. Yet Robeson County’s decisions suggest a troubling preference for maintaining landfill operations over protecting human health.

Community leaders and advocacy groups insist that enough is enough. They demand transparency, accountability, and immediate action. If county officials refuse to act, SELC has committed to enforcing environmental law through the courts.

How Reverse Osmosis and Water Conditioners Can Help

Residents affected by PFAS contamination can take interim steps to reduce exposure. Reverse osmosis filtration systems offer one of the most effective household solutions. These systems remove a broad spectrum of contaminants, including PFAS, by forcing water through a semipermeable membrane. When installed under kitchen sinks, they provide safe drinking and cooking water.

Whole-home water conditioners, while less effective for removing PFAS, can complement filtration by treating other issues like hard water, chlorine, and sediment. Combining both technologies can offer broader protection for families waiting on public solutions.

Source: Southern Environmental Law Center