Public water systems and private wells - PFAS settlements

PFAS Settlement Payout Program

The NRWA encompasses 49 state affiliates representing all 50 states because Rhode Island and Connecticut are combined as one. The mission of its rural utility operations specialist board members and local leaders is to provide clean, safe, and affordable water and wastewater services.

For this reason, the NRWA decided to file a class action lawsuit against the responsible PFAS manufacturers whose chemicals ended up in the drinking water.

Drinking water utilities could be eligible for a piece of over $12.5 billion as part of a tentative settlement with chemical and manufacturing giant 3M for its role in "forever chemicals" contaminating drinking water across the nation.

The number of water systems impacted by PFAS contamination across the country is unknown, but it is estimated to be in the thousands. Numerous municipalities do not have representation and could be missing out on this historic settlement, which is why we strongly encourage communities to join our PFAS Settlement Payout Program. Those who are eligible to participate should seek legal counsel and consider whether the settlement would meet their needs.

Public water utilities may be eligible for claims if they can show documentation that their water system had been tested and that PFAS was detected during testing.

The funds from the PFAS settlement will be divided up using a formula that allocates amounts based on the extent of pollution (PFAS score). However, the number of utilities that could have rights to the funds will continue to grow as more choose to participate in the settlement.

Settlements achieved for public water systems

There was a major breakthrough in the pursuit of justice for water providers and their communities affected by PFAS contamination in the U.S.

The material terms with defendants DuPont, Chemours, and Corteva concerning their responsibility for the PFAS contamination of public water systems and the associated costs of treatment were successfully settled, and the companies agreed to pay $1.185 billion, money that will be used to remove PFAS from the drinking water.

A $12.5 billion settlement with the 3M Company in the ongoing multidistrict litigation over the contamination of drinking water with PFAS was achieved. This historic settlement agreement resolves the claims of Public Water Systems across the country that have been affected by actual or threatened contamination of their water systems with PFAS. In 1998, 3M finally shared over 1,200 studies with the Environmental Protection Agency, drawing a $1.5 million fine for failing to report earlier.

This proposed settlement is the result of many months of negotiations between the parties and is subject to approval by Judge Richard M. Gergel, who was assigned in the winter of 2018 to oversee the ongoing multidistrict proceedings in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina.

Under the proposed settlement, 3M agreed to contribute up to $12.5 billion. According to a statement provided by the company, the agreement will benefit utilities "nationwide that provide drinking water to a vast majority of Americans," payable over the next 13 years. The settlement, if approved by the court, would be broken into two phases, addressing both current and future drinking water claims brought by various public utilities.