WILMINGTON, N.C. -- The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, Cape Fear River Watch, and Chemours have a proposed consent order, but Cape Fear Public Utility Authority doesn't think it does enough for the Lower Cape Fear Region.

  • The consent order addresses how Chemours will reduce GenX in the air and water supply, and the fines associated if they miss their milestones.
  • Some say the proposed draft only helps those close to the Chemours plant in Fayetteville.
  • The consent order is open for public comment until December 21.

The consent order addresses how Chemours will reduce GenX in the air and water supply, and the fines associated if they miss their milestones.

CFPUA director of engineering Carel Vendermeyden said the proposed draft only helps those close to the Chemours plant in Fayetteville.

"We were concerned that it doesn't seem to provide a solution at all for the citizens here in New Hanover County and the Lower Cape Fear Region." said Vandermeyden. "It doesn't address contamination of the sediment...and thirdly, it doesn't address ground water contamination here in our area."

DEQ assistance secretary for environment Sheila Holman said they did address the Lower Cape Fear Region by suspending all Chemours waste water discharge in November 2017.

"All of those actions were intended to address concerns in the Lower Cape Fear Region, and to address the drinking water supply that are downstream from the facility," said Holman. "We continue to monitor those drinking water systems and the GenX concentration are well below the 140 parts per trillion."

The consent order is open for public comment until December 21. After that it will need to be approved by Bladen County Superior Court.

To make a comment on the consent order, email comments.chemours@ncdenr.gov or mail your comments Assistant Secretary’s office, RE: Chemours Public Comments 1601 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1601.