North Carolina environmental regulators are ordering Chemours to dramatically expand PFAS well testing around its Fayetteville Works plant, adding tens of thousands of homes now eligible for free sampling.
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NC DEQ) announced Tuesday that approximately 150,000 additional residences in six counties — Bladen, Cumberland, Harnett, Hoke, Robeson and Sampson,— will now qualify for private drinking water well testing due to concerns about PFAS contamination.
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The move follows a detailed review of existing residential well data and projections of how far toxic chemicals may have spread beyond previously tested areas.
“This expansion will speed up testing for families who rely on private wells and ensure more people have access to clean drinking water,” NC DEQ officials said in a press release.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS — often called "forever chemicals" because they don’t break down in the environment — have been linked to serious health problems, including cancer, liver damage, and immune system effects.
Chemours, under state order, is responsible for conducting and funding the testing by a third-party contractor: Parsons Environment and Infrastructure.
Who qualifies?
- Residents who get their primary drinking water from a private well.
- Households within the expanded testing zone — maps and more information are available
How to request a test:
- Call Chemours at (910) 678-1101 and leave your full contact details and address.
- Fill out Chemours’ online form
Additionally, NC DEQ will hold a virtual public meeting on April 1, 2025, at 6 p.m. to answer community questions and provide updates on the expanded well testing. Residents can join via this Webex link or by phone at +1-415-655-0003 (Webinar number: 2434 811 3627; Password: Chemours2025).
NC DEQ says updates about well testing in the Lower Cape Fear region will be announced at a later date.
Forever Chemicals - North Carolina's Toxic Tap Water
For decades, a North Carolina company dumped massive amounts of toxic chemicals into the Cape Fear River. These "forever chemicals" contaminated the river, air and groundwater surrounding the plant. It is the focus of the WRAL Documentary, "Forever Chemicals: North Carolina's Toxic Tap Water."