DANBURY— The City of Danbury will receive a settlement award of about $3.5 million as part of a $12.5 billion nationwide settlement addressing contamination of public water from PFAS pollutants-commonly known as “forever chemicals.”
The settlement, which was reached with the help of Ventura Law of Danbury, stems from multibillion-dollar agreements with 3M, DuPont, Chemours, and Corteva – the companies that produced and distributed the toxic substances for decades.
“The settlement awards achieved through this national litigation ensure that polluters, not taxpayers, bear the costs of cleanup and remediation,” said Danbury Mayor Roberto Alves.
Nationally, 3M agreed to pay up to $12.5 billion, while DuPont, Chemours, and Corteva collectively agreed to pay up to $1.19 billion. Settlement funds are being distributed to public water systems across the country for both past and future testing, treatment, and infrastructure improvements.
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) have been used since the 1940s in products such as firefighting foam, nonstick cookware, and waterproof fabrics. These chemicals do not degrade in the environment and have been linked to cancer, immune disorders, and other health risks. Those chemicals are used in hundreds of types of products and can enter the food supply through crops and animals grown, raised, or processed in contaminated areas, according to the FDA. It is also possible for very small amounts of PFAS to enter foods through food packaging, processing, and cookware.
The City of Danbury has recently received payments amounting to approximately 65% of its settlement, with the remaining distributions to come over the next four years.
Mayor Alves reaffirmed the city’s commitment to maintaining safe drinking water.
“We are committed to protecting public health and will continue monitoring Danbury’s water to ensure safety and quality,” he said. “These funds will help us invest in long-term infrastructure so residents can feel confident that their water is clean.”
This action, which was filed in federal multidistrict litigation in South Carolina, consolidated thousands of PFAS lawsuits nationwide and took more than seven years to resolve.
“Danbury had the foresight and leadership to take action against companies that contaminated our water systems,” said Augie Ribeiro, CEO of Ventura Law, who represented the City of Danbury in this action. “Because cities like Danbury stood firm, 3M will stop producing these harmful chemicals, a historic win for public health and the environment.”
