Recent Actions, Investigations and Enforcement
Below is a summary of actions related to the Chemours investigation and Consent Order.
Nov. 14, 2022
Nov. 3, 2022
- Chemours application for air permit modification under review
- Air Quality Permit Modification Application
September 15, 2022
- DEQ approves permit to reduce PFAS contamination in the Cape Fear River
- NPDES Permit (NC0090042)
- NPDES Permit Fact Sheet-Final
- Hearing Officer's Report | Public comments
- Barrier Wall Approval Letter
July 14, 2022
- Chemours response to June 15, 2022 letter re: EPA GenX Health Advisory
- DEQ response to Chemours, July 14, 2022
June 15, 2022
- EPA Announces New Drinking Water Health Advisories for PFAS Chemicals
- State agencies responding to release of EPA health advisories for four PFAS compounds | NC DEQ
- DEQ letter to Chemours Re: EPA GenX Health Advisory: Required Revision of Drinking Water Compliance Plan and Feasibility Study
May 3, 2022
DEQ is directing Chemours to further expand drinking water well sampling in New Hanover, Brunswick, Pender and Columbus Counties and to prioritize specific areas for immediate sampling. Chemours is required to provide alternate water supplies based on results as specified by the Consent Order.
April 5, 2022
DAQ Settlement Requires Chemours To Further Limit GenX Emissions And Conduct Additional Testing
March 28, 2022
After an extensive review, DEQ found that Chemours "Framework to Assess Table 3+ PFAS in New Hanover, Brunswick, Columbus and Pender Counties Sampling and Drinking Water Plan" submittal requires an expanded scope and additional detail to fulfill the requirements of Paragraph 18 of the Consent Order and North Carolina’s groundwater rules. DEQ is requiring Chemours to submit a revised Framework within 45 days based on conditions outlined in its response letter.
March 2, 2022
Following a comprehensive review, DEQ directed Chemours to expand the scope and detail of its proposed interim sampling and drinking water plan for New Hanover, Brunswick, Columbus, and Pender counties. DEQ has identified seven areas in which the interim sampling and drinking water plan is deficient, and is requiring Chemours to submit a revised plan within 30 days.
February 23, 2022
February 21, 2022
February 18, 2022
February 1, 2022
Chemours submitted the following three documents in response to DEQ's November 3, 2021 Notice that requires Chemours to expand the off-site assessment required under the 2019 Consent Order to determine the extent of the contamination in downstream communities mentioned above.
- Response Letter to "DEQ’s November 3, 2021 “Notice Regarding Chemours’ Obligations Under Consent Order and 15A NCAC 02L .0106 - Offsite Groundwater Assessment and Provision of Replacement Drinking Water Supplies” (the “November 3 Notice”)
- Framework to Assess Table 3+ PFAS in New Hanover, Brunswick, Columbus, and Pender Counties
- Interim Four Counties Sampling and Drinking Water Plan (New Hanover, Brunswick, Columbus and Pender Counties)
November 3, 2021
DEQ expands actions required by Chemours to address GenX/PFAS contamination
October 4, 2021
DAQ assesses penalty of over $300,000 for Chemours Violations
August 26, 2021
DAQ Issues Notice of Violation to Chemours (Press Release)
- Notice of Violation Letter
- Compliance Report
- Letter Requiring Emission Estimation Change and Recalculation
March 31, 2021
DEQ Assesses Penalties of nearly $200,000 for Chemours Violations (Press Release)
- Consent Order Penalty Assessment
- Assessment of Civil Penalty for Violations of the Reporting Requirements (DWR)
- Compliance Order With Administrative Penalty (DWM)
- Civil Penalty Assessment for Violations of the Sedimentation Pollution Control Act of 1973 (DEMLR)
January 26, 2021
Notice of Violation and Intent to Assess Civil Penalty and Stipulated Penalty for Failing to Meet Conditions of the Consent Order and NPDES Permit | Press Release
January 4, 2021
- Chemours Response to NOV (January 11, 2021)
September 18, 2020
NPDES permit issued to remove contaminated stream
July 3, 2020
Chemours response to June 18 Notice of Violation: cover letter | Soil and Material Waste Management Plan
June 18, 2020
Notice of Violation and Notice of Intent to Enforce 15 NCAC 13B Solid Water Generator Requirements Chemours Company – Fayetteville Works Bladen County [press release]
December 21
DEQ extends Chemours proposed consent order comment period to Jan. 7
December 4
Notice of Wastewater Spill Containing 0.000000002 lb. of HFPO Dimer Acid on Nov. 29
Weekly Rainwater Sampling results compiled
Chemours sends outfall data to DEQ from Outfall 002 from 2/25/19 through 3/28/19 and 4/15/19 through 4/16/19
November 23
Public information session about GenX scheduled for Dec. 11
November 21
State officials require Chemours to provide permanent drinking water and pay $12 million penalty
October 23
Weekly Rainwater Sampling Results compiled
September 19
Chemours email about rainwater transportation tanker leak
Rainwater Sampling September 10-27
Rainwater Sampling September 4-10
Rainwater Sampling August 28-September 4
August 21
Chemours Status Report on Interim Remedial Actions
August 20
DEQ Public Information Session on GenX
Rainwater Sampling August 14-21
Rainwater Sampling August 7-14
Rainwater Sampling July 31-August 7
Rainwater Sampling July 24-31
July 17
Approval of Secondary Scrubbers 07/17/2018
July 16
Chemours' Notification of Potential Spill on July 13, 2018
July 12
Chemours Request for Secondary Scrubber Trial 07/12/2018
July 11
Public Comments on Proposed Order for Preliminary Injunctive Relief
July 10
New contact information for GenX-related bottled water issues
July 3-10
June 29
June 26-July 3
June 19-26
June 13
Email from Chemours to DEQ (June 13, 2018) re: Potential HFPO Dimer Acid Spill
June 12-19
June 11
DEQ files new proposed court order against Chemours
MEDIA RELEASE: DEQ files new proposed court order against Chemours
Division of Waste Management Notice of Violation
Proposed Order for Preliminary Injunctive Relief
DAQ Rainwater Sampling June 5-12
May 30
February 2018 (Second) Stack Testing Report
Division WGS 2nd Scrubbing Stage
Division of Waste Management letter to Chemours re: April 20 Email / Reporting of Spills
DAQ Rainwater Sampling May 29-June 5
May 25
Chemours Email Notice of Carbon Bed Install 05/25/2018
May 24
DAQ Rainwater Sampling May 22-29
May 18
Public information session about GenX scheduled for May 29
Geosyntec Response to Comments
ERM Responses to DEQ Requests Regarding Exhibit 11
ERM Responses to DEQ Requests Regarding Exhibits 2 and 3
Emission Estimate Methodology Report REVISED
Chemours Response to DAQ Follow-Up Questions
DAQ Rainwater Sampling May 15-22
May 11
Additional Technical Information Request
DAQ Rainwater Sampling May 8-15
May 2
Chemours' Notification of May 2 GenX Sampling Spike
DAQ Rainwater Sampling May 1-8
April 27
Chemours' Response to DAQ 60-day Notice 4/27/2018
April 25
MEDIA ADVISORY: North Carolina Science Advisory Board to meet April 30
DAQ Rainwater Sampling April 24-May 1
DAQ Rainwater Sampling April 17-24
DAQ Rainwater Sampling April 10-17
April 9
Amended Civil Complaint from N.C. Department of Justice 4/9/18
April 6
State officials put Chemours on notice of pending air permit restrictions
DAQ: GenX Test Program Summary
Division of Air Quality's 60-day Notice of Intent to Modify Permit
April 5
Map of Feb. 28-Mar. 2 rainwater and well sampling data
DAQ Rainwater Sampling April 3-10
DAQ Rainwater Sampling March 27-April 3
DAQ Rainwater Sampling March 20-27
DAQ Rainwater Sampling March 19-20
March 16
MEDIA ADVISORY: North Carolina Science Advisory Board to meet March 19
March 12
Chemours' air emissions stack test results
Chemours' air emissions stack test cover letter
DAQ Rainwater Sampling March 10-12
March 8
Chemours email notification about March 8 one-gallon spill
DAQ Rainwater Sampling February 28-March 2
February 26
Chemours' response to Feb. 12 Immediate Action Notice of Violation
February 23
GenX found in rainwater samples collected near Chemours facility
February 21
Map of Chemours rainwater sampling stations
February 14
Chemours reports a spill on the site.
Chemours email notification about Feb. 14 outfall numbers (Outfall 002)
Chemours email notification about Feb. 14 onsite spill
February 13
State orders Chemours to control additional sources of GenX contamination
February 12
DEQ Letter to Chemours (Feb. 12) -- Trial Air Abatement System
Immediate Action Notice of Violation
DAQ Rainwater Sampling February 4-5
February 1
Chemours Letter -- Feb. 1 Loading Hose Leak
January 31
Third-Party LDAR Program Review
DAQ Rainwater Sampling January 28-29
January 25
Chemours Letter to DEQ -- Jan. 25 One-gallon Leak Due to Clogged Drain
January 23
State hosting fourth GenX information session on Feb. 1
January 14
Chemours Letter to DEQ -- Jan. 14 Leak to Concrete Pad
January 11
DEQ Secretary Regan cites lab equipment as critical to emerging contaminants response
December 21
Chemours Letter to DEQ-- Dec 21 Request for Carbon Trial
December 15
DEQ Letter to Chemours (Dec. 15) -- Interim Measures to Control PFAS
December 13
Latest test results show elevated levels of GenX in 30 more private wells
December 11
Chemours Letter to DEQ -- Dec. 9 Leak While Pumping Wastewater for Removal
December 1
State hosting third information session Dec. 14 on private well sampling near Chemours
November 29
North Carolina Science Advisory Board to meet in Wilmington Dec. 4
November 27
Chemours Letter to DEQ -- Response to the Notice of Violation
November 22
October, early November data shows high GenX concentrations at Chemours wastewater discharge outfall
November 17
DEQ investigating air emissions leak at Chemours
November 16
State moves to revoke Chemours' permit to discharge processed wastewater
November 14
DEQ issues violation notice to Chemours for unreported chemical spill
November 13
Nov. 13 Notice of Violation and Intent to Assess Penalty
November 9
DEQ will take additional enforcement action against Chemours for unreported spill
November 8
Chemours Letter to DEQ -- Planned Use of Hazardous Waste Deep Well Injection Facility
November 7
November 3
Latest test results show elevated levels of GenX in 15 more homeowners' wells
November 2
October 31
October 30
DEQ takes action to stop additional Chemours discharge based on EPA report
October 24
State continues to scrutinize Chemours wastewater discharge, request to renew permit
DEQ Letter to Chemours -- NPDES permit
October 22
Subpoena issued to DEQ from U.S. Attorney's Office
October 19
Members named to state Science Advisory Board to advise on emerging chemicals
October 17
October 12
October 4
September 27
September 21
September 13
State hosting information session Thursday on private well sampling near Chemours
September 6
State issues notice of violation against Chemours based on new groundwater tests
September 5
State orders Chemours to stop chemical releases, begins legal action and steps to suspend permit
August 31
State seeks to stop additional chemical discharges into the Cape Fear River
August 29
DEQ Directs Company to Stop Additional discharges
Past correspondence from DEQ to Chemours
August 24
Latest test results show GenX levels remain well below state health goal
August 15
DEQ, DHHS heads respond to state senators' letter, outline request to protect drinking water
August 9
Newest sampling data shows GenX levels in Cape Fear still below health goal
August 3
DEQ gathering documents for federal investigation related to Chemours
August 2
Latest test results for finished drinking water show GenX below health goal
August 1
Governor Cooper expands state science panel to address new or unregulated chemicals.
July 27
GenX concentrations in treated water continue downward trend based on new data
July 24
Governor Cooper Memo: Water Quality State Action Items
July 17
Governor Cooper Urges EPA to Set Limits for Emerging Contaminant GenX
July 14
State releases first water quality data, updated health information for GenX in Cape Fear River
July 11
State agency receives first GenX water sample data and begins analysis
July 8
Motion For Temporary Restraining Order
July 7
Civil Complaint from N.C. Department of Justice
July 5
DEQ Letter to Chemours -- Notice of Intent to Suspend Permit
Letter with Summons from Department of Justice
Civil Summons from the Department of Justice
June 29
N.C. DHHS Releases Summary of Selected Cancer Rates for Counties in Cape Fear Region
June 27
DEQ verifies Chemours has stopped discharging GenX wastewater
June 20
State Moving forward with GenX investigation
June 19
DEQ starting water quality sampling for GenX in Cape Fear River
June 14
DEQ, DHHS investigating reports of unregulated chemical in Cape Fear River