STUART, Fla. (CBS12) — The City of Stuart has settled with chemical giant DuPont regarding “forever chemicals” in the city’s drinking water.
The settlement is part of a massive nationwide legal battle involving polyfluoroalkyl substances, better known as PFAS– a group of man-made chemicals. For decades, the city says these substances were used in industrial products and firefighting foams.
Because they don’t break down naturally, they reportedly linger in the environment and end up in crucial water supplies.
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The purpose of the lawsuit was to ensure that the companies responsible for the chemicals, not taxpayers, pay for cleaning them up.
Total Settlement: $2,636,340.25Net Recovery (after legal fees): $1,777,044.82
“This settlement represents an important step in holding manufacturers accountable and helps offset the financial burden placed on our utility customers,” said Mayor Christoper Collins. “Protecting our drinking water remains a top priority for the City.”
The funds will support PFAS monitoring, treatment, compliance with regulatory requirements, and protection of the city’s drinking water.