Settlement Reached in PFAS Contamination Case in Roanoke River
Roanoke, VA – The Western Virginia Water Authority and Chemours have reached a settlement over the contamination of the Roanoke River with PFAS chemicals, which also affected a portion of the drinking water for seven years.
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The contamination was first reported by WDBJ7 in 2021 when testing revealed concerning levels of the Gen-X chemical in the Spring Hollow Reservoir. An investigation determined that the chemical was coming from the ProChem facility in Elliston, which discharges into the Roanoke River.
To make the water safe, the Western Virginia Water Authority expects a payout of $9.5 to $12 million for the installation of necessary filters.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently proposed guidelines for PFAS, also known as ‘forever chemicals,’ prompting communities nationwide to test and treat affected water sources. PFAS chemicals are not visible to the naked eye and are often undetectable by many labs. The EPA’s proposed guidelines are now pressuring water suppliers across the country.
According to Leigh-Anne Krometis, an Associate Professor of Biological Systems Engineering at Virginia Tech, PFAS chemicals are associated with various health impacts, including cancer and reduced immune function.
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In Roanoke County, the Western Virginia Water Authority detected a type of PFAS chemical in its drinking water supply and later in the Roanoke River. The chemical, known as Gen X, was traced back to the ProChem facility. Although ProChem claims to have taken immediate action to eliminate Gen X, the Western Virginia Water Authority is still treating the remnants of the chemical in the Spring Hollow Reservoir.
The most recent tests showed Gen X levels in the Spring Hollow drinking water at 12 parts per trillion (ppt), above the EPA’s proposed recommendation of 10 ppt. Gen X was traced back to equipment from Chemours, a client of ProChem. Gen X is one of the few PFAS chemicals that the EPA plans on regulating due to its health impacts.
Water suppliers across the country will soon be required to test for and treat PFAS chemicals once the EPA sets limits. However, there are currently limited laboratories capable of conducting such tests, making it a costly burden for the drinking water industry.
Despite the contamination, the Western Virginia Water Authority assures residents that the water is safe to drink, thanks to advanced filters reducing Gen X levels. Both the EPA and the water authority advise against switching to bottled water, as it is subject to fewer safety regulations than tap water.
The public comment period for the EPA’s proposed ruling ends on May 30, and other water suppliers, like the City of Lynchburg Water Services and the City of Salem, are actively testing for PFAS and following state and EPA guidelines.
