N.Y. town sues 3 companies over PFAS contamination

摘要

A New York town yesterday sued three high-profile firms to recoup costs associated with water contamination by "forever chemicals." The town of Hempstead, located on Long Island, filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York against 3M Co., E.I. du Pont de Nemours and DuPont spinoff Chemours Co. According to the lawsuit, Hempstead operates 29 active public supply wells in five water districts, which are contaminated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). About 120,000 people rely on those wells for their drinking water. "The Town of Hempstead is already implementing water treatment technologies that will meet or exceed the new standards set by the State. But their residents should not have to pay the enormous costs to do that," Sher Edling LLP senior associate Stephanie Biehl, who is representing Hempstead, said in a statement. "Neither the Town nor its residents caused the problem." Hempstead argued that the companies should pay compensatory damages as the town seeks reimbursement for the cost of treatment and mitigation. The town said "the parties responsible" for the contamination should bear the costs of addressing it.