HomeMy WebLinkAboutDEQ-CFW_00084586Investigation Background
The N.C. departments of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and Health and Human Services (DHHS) began
investigating the presence of a compound known as GenX in the Cape Fear River in June. The Chemours facility in
Fayetteville was identified as the company that produces the GenX chemical for industrial processes. As part of the
state's investigation, DEQ began collecting water samples from multiple sites along the Cape Fear River, with
additional samples collected throughout the region. Those samples were analyzed at two separate labs: Test America
in Colorado and the Environmental Protection Agency's lab in the Research Triangle Park.
Thanks to the state's investigation, the release to the Cape Fear River of GenX and two other fluorinated compounds
has stopped, water quality for these compounds at all finished drinking water sites is well within state health goals,
and the state is developing better information needed to protect North Carolina's water quality and public health.
Groundwater monitoring well sampling at Chemours facility
As part of the state's investigation, DEQ staff sampled the facility's onsitc groundwater monitoring wells to
determine the effect of the discharge on the groundwater. These onsitc wells are not used for drinking water. The
samples were sent to a certified laboratory in Charleston, S.C., and analyzed for GenX and other fluorinated
compounds. At the same time, the EPA and Chemours took samples from the same wells and sent them to separate
laboratories for analysis. Results showed high levels of GenX in 13 of the 14 monitoring wells.
Private drinking water well sampling and future actions
The state's environmental staff plans on Sept. 15 to start sampling the private drinking wells of people living
adjacent to the plant's property. People living near the Chemours facility deserve to know about the safety of their
well wager, and the state is using its available resources to address the safety of peoples' drinking water.
Testing private wells beyond the facility will show if any contamination has moved beyond the site into wells used
for drinking. The state plans to test for the presence of GenX and two other fluorinated compounds with established
health goals. Results are expected in several weeks. When the state receives these results, staff will determine our
agency's next steps, including if additional wells further from the facility's perimeter need to be sampled.
Groundwater sampling results at Chemours' facility
Results of water samples collected in the industrial, non -drinking water wells at the Chemours facility can be found
online at: https://files.nc.gov/ncdeq/GenX/GenX%20Sainpling°io20Map%2020170906_3.pdf.
Other private well sampling
Chemours has informed the state that the company has implemented its own sampling plan of drinking water wells
within one mile of the facility. Homeowners who live outside the initial one -mile sampling area can request that the
company sample their well.
Also, Chemours has informed the state that it is offering bottled water to people living within a one -mile radius of
the facility. People who wish can visit the Chemours facility to get bottled water. Homeowners who live outside the
initial one -mile sampling area can contact facility representatives Ken Stewart (704-600-5746) or Sonya Vargas
(910-678-1257) to request that the company sample their drinking water wells and ask for bottled water.
More information
NCDEQ has information regarding the GenX investigation on its website, https:Hdeq.nc.gov/news/hot-topics/genx-
investigation.
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DEQ-CFW 00084586