DEQ-CFW_00078337

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What I can tell you is that based on the best available data from sampling in
2013 and 2014, the Department of Health and Human Services has
determined there was a minimal health risk associated with exposure to
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• Based on their evaluation, we believe this to be a low risk situation, but
must have more current data and will make sound decisions based on that
data.
At the Governor's direction, The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality,
in consultation with the Department of Health and Human Services, is
leading a state investigation regarding the report of the unregulated
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I am seeking answers and solutions to a situation that has prompted
understandable concern among the citizens who live and work in
Wilmington and the lower Cape Fear region ... some of which are my own
Department of Environmental Quality regional staff and their families ...
• Although we are searching for more answers, we are also taking action
immediately ...
DEQ-CFW-00078337

The United States Environmental Protection Agency is the lead agency
responsible for establishing drinking water standards. They have informed
us that they are working to gather more information on GenX, which is a
compound not regulated under the Clean Water Act or Safe Drinking Water
Act.
Given the chemical is unregulated, we are also taking a hard look at all
options we have, within our regulatory and legal authority, to reduce or
eliminate the discharge of this chemical as it makes its way to the river until
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We met with the company Chemours earlier this week and they informed
DEQ staff that their engineers are working to assess the waste streams at
the facility in Fayetteville. My department is strongly encouraging
Chemours to voluntarily identify any measures that can be taken to reclu�m
or eliminate the discharges of the chemical to the river until the state
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Starting as early as next week, we will begin a water collection and testin
regimen in the Cape Fear River. We will be working with a specialized lab
Colorodo capable of analyzing the samples. 11
We expect to receive sampling supplies from the laboratory this week and
our staff are prepared to mobilize as soon as we have that equipment.
DEQ-CFW-00078338

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• The four intakes
• the five water treatment plants (Cape Fear Public Utility Authority,
Pender County, Brunswick County, International Paper, and
Smithfield Packing),
• the Cape Fear Public Utilities Authority Aquifer Storage and Recovery
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counterparts and appreciate the cooperation the company has
demonstrated thus far. It is our goal to help bring clarity to this situation as
soon as possible and will be vigilant in doing so.
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• Our agency received a renewal application for the Chemours NPIDES
Permit (NCO003573) on May 3, 2016.
• Since the renewal application was received 180 days prior to expiration,
the permit is automatically continued until a new permit is issued.
• We are currently working thru the permit process and will not issue a
DEQ-CFW-00078339