Well Sampling Information for Lower Cape Fear Area Residents

In November 2021, DEQ determined that Chemours is responsible for contamination of groundwater monitoring wells and water supply wells in New Hanover County and potentially Pender, Columbus, and Brunswick counties. The department sent a letter requiring Chemours to expand the off-site assessment to these four downstream counties as well as conduct sampling of private drinking water wells to identify residents who may be eligible for replacement drinking water supplies.

On February 1, 2022, Chemours sent its initial version of the Lower Cape Fear assessment and well sampling plan to DEQ. This response and related plans were reviewed by DEQ and found to be deficient. DEQ directed Chemours on March 2, 2022, to expand the scope and detail of its proposed interim sampling and drinking water plan for New Hanover, Brunswick, Columbus, and Pender counties. After an extensive review, DEQ also found Chemours' initial assessment plan to be deficient and has required Chemours to revise it to expand its scope and details. 

Read Chemours' proposed interim drinking water plans and DEQ responses 

Find details about Chemours' assessments and DEQ responses.  

What makes my well eligible for sampling based on the current, interim plan?

Chemours has submitted its Interim Four Counties Sampling and Drinking Water Plan to DEQ, which has not been approved. Listed below is the sampling eligibility criteria for the four-county area based on the current, interim sampling and drinking water plan. Note: the eligibility criteria could change based on the results of sampling and/or as DEQ reviews and approves the final plan. 

• The private well is the primary source of drinking water on the property, and
• The private well is located within the 100-year floodplain associated with Cape Fear River, or
• The private well is within a quarter-mile of public water service lines or sanitary sewer networks, including areas where PFAS may have seeped into surrounding aquifers, such as areas of leaking utility pipes, or direct injection or application of Cape Fear River water. Information obtained to date shows that these areas are within the public water distribution areas and captured by this criterion; or
• The private well is within a quarter-mile radius of known Attachment C PFAS concentrations in private and non-private wells exceeding the 2019 Consent Order criteria.

What does this letter from Chemours mean?

Chemours began mailing letters April 28 to residents in the four-county downstream area. These letters request specific information from well owners/residents: whether or not the primary source of drinking water is a private well and details on well construction. The letters will also offer sampling of the private well.

See an example of the letter.

If you receive a letter, you can respond by mail (prepaid return envelope) or by calling (910) 678-1100. Once you respond that a private well is your primary drinking water source and would like to have your well sampled, Chemours' third-party environmental consultant will contact you to schedule sampling. Letters will not be sent to owners/residents that are known to be connected to public water. Chemours will send a second letter after 90 days if the well owner/resident has not responded.

How do I get my well tested?

If you meet the criteria above, you can call Chemours at (910) 678-1100 or complete Chemours' online form to request well testing. Leave a message to request sampling or additional information, ask questions or share concerns about any step in the drinking water replacement process. Messages to the Chemours call line are monitored during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Chemours should respond within 24-to-48 hours starting on the next business day.

Who will test my well?

Parsons Environment and Infrastructure (Parsons) is the name of Chemours third-party environmental consultant contracted to perform the well sampling. If you request to have your well sampled, a Parsons representative will be contacting you. Parsons is the only well sampling vendor used by Chemours to sample wells; any other vendor that asks to sample your well is not part of an approved sampling program directed by the Consent Order.

If I don’t respond to Parsons or turn them down, will DEQ test my water?

If Chemours’ third-party consultant Parsons contacts you to sample your well, it is highly encouraged that you allow them to do so. If sampling results show levels above the Consent Order thresholds,  you will need to make a decision on whether to accept or refuse offered alternate water by the deadline provided in your letter.

Can I have my own well privately tested not by Chemours?

Yes, however, Chemours is required to cover the cost of sampling conducted by Parsons under the Consent Order.  Private well owners who choose to have their wells sampled by another party instead will be responsible for the cost.  DHHS has a list of private water testing laboratories that can conduct PFAS sampling. It is not a comprehensive list. For more information, please contact the NCDHHS Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch at 919-707-5900 or oeeb@dhhs.nc.gov.

How many wells has Chemours sampled to date in Brunswick, Columbus, New Hanover and Pender counties?

Chemours began sampling private drinking water wells in the four counties of the lower Cape Fear River area in February 2022 and began sending out letters according to the revised plan on April 28, 2022. As of June 12, 2022, Chemours has sent nearly 100,000 letters to residences in the Lower Cape Fear area.

Maps of well sampling in the Lower Cape Fear River area are available online. As of July 31, 2022, of the 425 results provided to residences, there have been 89 exceedances - 14 that qualify for GAC treatment and 75 that qualify for RO systems. DEQ Well Sampling Results Map through July 2022 (updated August 2022) shows the results of sampling in the GenX investigation in Brunswick, New Hanover, Columbus and Pender counties.

When will I receive my results?

Chemours will provide preliminary results in about four to six weeks after testing your well. 

Read an example of the results letter for detections of 10ppt for one PFAS or 70ppt combined  

Read an example of the results letter for GenX results above 10ppt (EPA Health Advisory Level)

What if I don’t get my results? 

If you do not receive your results, contact DEQ’s Division of Waste Management at (919) 707-8200.

Who can help me read my results?

The Department has staff that can assist you with reading your results. For assistance, contact DEQ’s Division of Waste Management at (919) 707-8200.

What do the test results mean?

Under the Consent Order, there are three thresholds that qualify a resident for replacement water supplies:

• At or above 140 parts per trillion (ppt) or any applicable health advisory of GenX – qualifies the affected resident for a granular activated carbon (GAC) system, municipal water or reverse osmosis units for each sink in the house.
  • On June 15, 2022, the EPA released a final health advisory level of 10ppt for GenX. This will replace the state’s provisional drinking water health goal of 140 ppt developed by NCDHHS in 2018.  
• At or above 70 ppt combined levels of PFAS compounds listed in Attachment C – qualifies the affected resident for three under-sink reverse osmosis (RO) systems.
• At or above 10 ppt for an individual PFAS compound listed in Attachment C – qualifies the affected resident for three under-sink reverse osmosis (RO) systems.

How are the compounds covered in the Consent Order listed on the test results?

The Consent Order covers compounds listed in Attachment C, however, they may appear under different names on the lab reports.

How do I get bottled water (temporary replacement drinking water) or a voucher card?

Chemours is required to provide bottled water to any qualifying residents until alternate water is installed. If you have been notified that your private well showed concentrations of GenX above the state's provisional health goal (140 ppt) or any applicable health advisory level (now 10 ppt according to EPA) for drinking water, above 10 ppt for any individual PFAS listed in Attachment C to the Consent Order, or above 70 ppt for combined quantifiable concentrations of PFAS listed in Attachment C to the Consent Order, then you are qualified to receive bottled water. If you have questions about bottled water delivery, please call Chemours at (910) 678-1100.

What is a voucher card, and how is it used?

The voucher card will be preloaded with $225 for three months of drinking water ($75 per month). The voucher card will continue to be loaded until permanent drinking water supply is provided. This voucher card is only to be used for purchasing bottled water. Well owners/residents will receive detailed instructions, customer service contact information, and the Chemours Call Line phone number, along with the voucher card.

How do I qualify for a filtration system?

Under the Consent Order, there are three thresholds that qualify a resident for replacement water supplies:

• At or above 140 parts per trillion (ppt) or any applicable health advisory of GenX – qualifies affected resident for a granular activated carbon (GAC) system, municipal water or reverse osmosis units for each sink in the house.
  • On June 15, 2022, the EPA released a final health advisory level of 10ppt for GenX. This will replace the state’s provisional drinking water health goal of 140 ppt developed by NCDHHS in 2018.  
• At or above 70 ppt combined levels of PFAS compounds listed in Attachment C – qualifies affected resident for three under-sink reverse osmosis (RO) systems.
• At or above 10 ppt for an individual PFAS compound listed in Attachment C – qualifies affected resident for three under-sink reverse osmosis (RO) systems.

What if I want a different water treatment system than I qualify for?

Under the February 2019 Consent Order, residents may qualify for a filtration system based on sample results (see above). The RO and GAC systems provided have been tested and approved by DEQ. Those eligible for a whole-house GAC system may choose to instead receive under-sink RO systems at every kitchen and bathroom sink.

Residents do not have to accept a water filtration system. However, once you have missed the opportunity to accept a water filtration system offered by Chemours (i.e., more than 12 months goes by from the time of the initial offer) or you have declined the offered system, you will no longer be able to get a system installed by Chemours free of charge. Delivery of your bottled water will end shortly after either 12 months from the initial offer or you decline the offered system, whichever occurs first.

Granular Activated Carbon Water Filtration System Pilot Study

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality and Chemours tested granular activated carbon (GAC) systems installed at private residences in the Chemours Fayetteville Works area beginning in 2018 for a period of one year. Results from the study showed GAC systems to be effective at removing GenX and other PFAS from the water if properly maintained.

Maintenance is key

• GAC systems must be maintained to be effective.
• Filters can become a source and increase levels of PFAS in the water if they are not regularly changed.
• The Consent Order requires Chemours to do the following to ensure GAC systems are working properly:
  • Test GAC systems quarterly between the filters to check for breakthrough of PFAS compounds. This allows data to be collected to determine the appropriate time for canister changeout while the second canister assures homeowners are protected.
  • Change GAC filters when levels of any PFAS compound reaches 100 ppt between the filters.

Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System Pilot Study

In 2019, the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality began testing the Kinetico reverse osmosis (RO) systems being installed by Chemours in private residences in the Chemours Fayetteville Works area. Preliminary tests show the systems are effective at removing PFAS from the water. More information about the pilot study can be found on the Groundwater page.

Unlike GAC water treatment systems, which must be tested to determine when a filter change is necessary, RO systems slow down and eventually stop working to prevent breakthrough. Indicators on the systems let homeowners know when the system is nearing shutdown and they need to call for a filter replacement. The RO systems include a sediment removal and carbon polishing cartridge which will need to be exchanged approximately every 1 to 1.5 years based on average household drinking water usage rates. The primary RO membrane will need to be replaced every three to five years based upon the amount of water used, which is tracked by the number of sediment and carbon polishing filter changeouts.

Should I be concerned if I am on municipal (town/city) water?

Residents on municipal or community water systems should contact their local utility or water provider first to find out if PFAS testing has been done.

What can I do if my municipal water contains GenX or other PFAS?

Residents who are concerned about GenX exposure have different options for action based on their source of drinking water. Several utilities in the lower Cape Fear region are already implementing treatment systems to limit levels of GenX and other PFAS in municipal drinking water supplies. Contact your local utility water provider for more information. 

Are there filtration systems that I can purchase from a store that will reduce the amount of PFAS in my water?

DHHS has compiled a list of laboratories that test for PFAS as well as over-the-counter filtration systems that can help filter PFAS from drinking water: PFAS Testing and Filtration Resources Fact Sheet. 

Where do I find health information about GenX/PFAS?

The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) is the agency that makes determinations about health impacts. To learn more, go to: https://epi.dph.ncdhhs.gov/oee/a_z/genx.html or to https://epi.dph.ncdhhs.gov/oee/a_z/pfas.html. 

Factsheets:

• DEQ Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) Filtration Systems Factsheet
• DEQ Reverse Osmosis (RO) Filtration Systems Factsheet
• New! NCDHHS PFAS Water Testing and Filtration Resources factsheet 
• New! NCDHHS: EPA’s Human Health Toxicity Assessment for GenX Chemicals (PDF)
• NCDHHS PFAS Factsheet (PDF)
• NCDHHS GenX Factsheet (PDF)
• NCDHHS PFAS Provider Memo - updated 2022 (PDF)

For more information, please contact DHHS' Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch at (919) 707-5900.

In addition to public information sessions, DEQ provides a community update via email. Past copies of the community updates can be found online. f you would like to be added to the mailing list to receive the Community Update, please email DEQ Public Affairs.”