Georgetown, S.C. — In a significant legal move, the City of Georgetown has initiated a lawsuit against Fiber Industries, previously known as Darlington Fibers, accusing the company of contaminating the city’s water supply with hazardous chemicals. The lawsuit alleges that these substances have significantly invaded and contaminated both the drinking and wastewater systems, posing a serious public health risk.
The city’s legal complaint details that the contamination includes per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly referred to as “forever chemicals” due to their persistence in the environment and the human body. These chemicals, which are linked to several adverse health effects, have allegedly been discharged by Fiber Industries upstream of the International Paper Canal along the Great Pee Dee River, a primary source for Georgetown’s drinking water.
Georgetown’s legal filings reveal that the municipality will face hefty capital and operational costs to eradicate the PFAS compounds from its water sources. Currently, the town uses a dated water treatment methodology primarily incorporating a chlorine disinfectant process. However, this process is not equipped to remove PFAS. To meet federal and state water quality standards and to ensure public safety, the city will have to upgrade its facilities, including installing advanced filtration systems specifically designed to remove these contaminants.
The city is demanding compensation from Fiber Industries for the financial burden these necessary upgrades will impose. This includes the costs accruing from the installation of new filtration technology, additional piping, and all infrastructure upgrades required to completely eliminate PFAS from the water supply.
In a broader context, the litigation names over 28 other defendants, some of which include major corporations like Galey & Lord Industries, a former operator of a fertilizer plant in the Pee Dee area, and notable chemical manufacturers 3M, Chemours, and Du Pont. These companies have been involved in various national legal battles regarding PFAS pollution affecting public drinking water systems.
In addition to recovery of the upgrade costs, Georgetown is also seeking funds for increased operational expenses linked to the contamination. This encompasses heightened electrical costs, additional staffing requirements, and the appropriate disposal of any byproducts resulting from the new PFAS treatment processes.
This lawsuit not only underscores the growing concern over PFAS pollution nationally but also highlights the significant challenges small municipalities face in dealing with the ramifications of industrial pollution. It brings to the forefront the urgent need for regulatory updates and more stringent environmental protections to safeguard public health against such persistent environmental pollutants.
The city’s action reflects a proactive stance in ensuring the safety of its water supply and holding accountable those believed responsible for its compromise. As this case progresses, it will likely attract attention from environmental experts, regulatory bodies, and communities nationwide, all grappling with similar challenges.
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