GenX maker to meet with local, state leaders this week

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — The company that makes the chemical that has been found in Wilmington’s drinking water supply will meet with local leaders and state regulators later this week.

According to a news release from New Hanover County, the Chemours Company, has agreed to meet with local and state officials about the GenX issue Thursday at the New Hanover County Government Center. The county says the meeting will take place late morning, but details, including the time, are still being confirmed and will be released once they are finalized.

Technical experts from Chemours Company will attend the meeting, along with representatives from New Hanover County, CFPUA, the City of Wilmington, Brunswick County, Pender County and NCDEQ. This is not a public meeting and attendance is by invitation only.

At the request of New Hanover County, Chemours has agreed to allow a local pool reporter to attend the meeting and share a full accounting of the discussion with all local media outlets.

A news conference will be held immediately following the meeting to brief the media and take questions. Additional details will be provided once they are available.

Area water providers say drinking water in the region meets all state and federal standards, but there are currently no standards for GenX. The compound is a key ingredient in Teflon and is made a plant along the Cape Fear River near the Cumberland-Bladen county line. GenX was found in CFPUA’s water supply and cannot be filtered out.

State regulators told CFPUA in a letter sent late last week that the NC Department of Environmental Quality is waiting on the EPA for further guidance.

Today CFPUA released a service map showing which areas of New Hanover County may be affected by the tainted water.