DEQ-CFW_00084798

Michael S. Regan, Secretary
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Release: WIMEDIATE Contact: Laura J. Leonard
Date: Sept. 20, 2017 Phone: [phone]
State orders Chemours to provide residents with bottled water after GenX found in preliminary well tests
RALEIGH — State officials have ordered Chemours to provide bottled water to 11 homeowners near their Fayetteville
Works facility after the company's preliminary test results showed GenX above state health goals in residential drinking
wells.
The state Department of Environmental Quality and Chemours started testing residential wells near the facility after GenX
was detected in 13 industn*al, non -drinking water wells on the facility's property. Chemours is testing the private wells for
GenX. DEQ is testing for GenX and two other fluorinated compounds, PFOA and PFAS, with established health goals. The
state expects its test results in the coming weeks.
Chemours has received preliminary test results for 35 residential wells for people living near the facility. GenX was not
detected in 15 residential wells. GenX concentrations were found below the state's health goal of 140 parts per trillion for
nine other residential wells. The 11 homeowners with GenX levels above the state's public health goal were supplied with
bottled water and health information about GenX.
The company's test results have not been validated. Out of an abundance of caution, the state ordered the company to
supply bottled water to residents after receiving word Friday of the first batch of test results, and then again on Tuesday
when the second batch of preliminary results arrived.
`We took quick action to ensure people with elevated concentrations of GenX had an immediate alternative water source,"
said Michael Regan, secretary of the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality. "Making sure people have clean drinking
water is our top priority.
This week, DEQ has continued collecting water samples for residential wells nearest the facility. As of Tuesday, DEQ had
collected water samples for 17 residential wells in Bladen and Cumberland counties. The state will send samples to Gel
Laboratories in Charleston, S.C. for analysis and use the results of testing to determine if people need alternative sources of
water and if GenX or the two other fluorinated compounds produced at the facility have moved into the surrounding
community.
If tests reveal levels of any of the fluorinated compounds above established health goals, the state will order Chemours to
provide affected homes with alternative water and health information on the compounds.
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DEQ-CFW-00084798