South Raleigh News

Governor Roy Cooper has proclaimed June 3rd to 7th as PFAS Awareness Week in North Carolina, aiming to raise awareness about Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) found in drinking water. North Carolina has taken a leading role in PFAS regulation, holding polluters accountable and creating an Action Strategy to address contamination, protect drinking water, and implement rules limiting the amount of PFAS that companies can discharge.

"North Carolinians deserve clean water and we must be at the forefront of the fight to contain forever chemicals," said Governor Cooper. "We are holding polluters accountable, researching solutions, and working hard to protect people’s health."

In April, the Biden-Harris Administration announced the first-ever national limit on PFAS in drinking water. Data indicates that more than 300 water systems in North Carolina have PFAS levels exceeding these new standards. This includes 42 municipal water systems serving nearly three million residents combined, as well as approximately 20% of small public water systems tested. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has provided funding for communities impacted by PFAS and other contaminants. Additionally, Governor Cooper’s 2024 Budget Proposal includes a $100 million fund to help communities clean their water from pollutants such as PFAS.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has requested the Environmental Management Commission (EMC) begin rulemaking on PFAS groundwater and surface water standards. These standards would limit the amount of PFAS that companies can discharge. The EMC is responsible for adopting rules for “protection, preservation, and enhancement of the water and air resources of the State.”

Reducing discharges of PFAS into state water supplies is considered the most cost-effective way to meet new drinking water standards.

However, efforts to regulate PFAS have faced delays amid lobbying by the NC Chamber of Commerce, which includes chemical company members. Republican legislators gained control of the EMC in 2023 through legislation passed over Governor Cooper’s veto; this legislation continues to be litigated in courts. Recent reports indicate that some EMC members own stock in companies belonging to the Chamber that lobbied against PFAS regulation.

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