CFPUA hosting forums to seek input on GenX, PFAS treatment

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — CFPUA is hosting a series of community forums to discuss their strategy to remove GenX and other per-flourinated compounds from the drinking water.

CFPUA is holding four community meetings withing the next two weeks. Each session will include a presentation on CFPUA’s role in removing PFAS. Residents can also ask CFPUA staff questions.

The first meeting is Thursday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the CFCC Union Station in Room U-470.

The next meeting are as follows:

• October 27 from 11 to 12:30 p.m. at the Northeast Library on Military Cutoff Road in the Oleander Room
• October 30 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Halyburton Park on 17th St. in the Community Building Main Room
• November 8 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at CFCC North Campus: Room NE-108

CFPUA says their current treatment technology is unable to remove PFAS from the water and information on the health effects of these compounds remains limited. Still, public health experts agree that reducing exposure to these compounds is beneficial.

A pilot study conducted at the Sweeney Plant over the past year has shown that installing a Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) filtration system would reduce PFAS in the finished drinking water. On October 10, the CFPUA Board approved the design contract for a new GAC system.

In the interim, CFPUA says it will adjust the existing filtration process to reduce PFAS levels until the upgrade is complete. This solution is only temporary and would not be practical in the future as water demands increase.

Upgrades to an advanced treatment facility like the Sweeney Plant are costly. The combined costs of the interim solution and the permanent solution would exceed $46 million. CFPUA says that’s an expense they do not believe the community should have to pay.

A typical residential customer would see a monthly five dollar increase on their bill until the costs of design and construction have been reimbursed.

In October 2017, CFPUA filed a lawsuit against Chemours and Dupont, asking for a full recovery of every dollar they have spent to address this issue.