DEQ-CFW_00084607

Investigation 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 certified labs.
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 onsite groundwater monitoring wells to determine the
effect of the discharge on the groundwater. These onsite 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 water, 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`/"20Saiiipling`/"2OMap`/"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. Other requests for well sampling and bottled
water should be directed to 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://deq.nc.gov/iiews/hot-topics/genx-
investigation.
DEQ-CFW-00084607