North Carolina PFAS contamination settlement

Chemical manufacturers Chemours, DuPont, and Corteva have reached a $455 million settlement to resolve lawsuits brought by the state of North Carolina and 11 local municipalities regarding PFAS contamination. The litigation addressed the impact of ‘forever chemicals’ on air quality and drinking water supplies, specifically involving Chemours’ Fayetteville Works plant and historical discharges from aqueous film-forming foam.

The settlement agreement stipulates that payments will be distributed over a 15-year period. Per a 2021 agreement between the companies, Chemours is responsible for 50% of the total cost, while DuPont and Corteva will split the remaining half. Chemours expects to pay approximately $50 million within the first 12 months.

Of the total funds, $75 million is allocated to the state, including roughly $55 million for the Emerging Contaminant Mitigation Fund. The remaining $380 million will be distributed to the state and 11 local entities, including several counties and the Lower Cape Fear Water and Sewer Authority. This agreement resolves claims not included in a previous 2024 U.S. public water system class settlement.