Pittsboro Sues Companies Sourcing Toxic Pollution In Haw River

When the General Assembly blocks effective controls on toxic water pollution, sometimes threatened communities–like Pittsboro–just have to sue. 

That’s what the Town of Pittsboro has done in response to the ongoing toxic threat to its drinking water supply, the Haw River. Pittsboro is suing Apollo Chemical, a manufacturer which discharges its industrial waste to the City of Burlington’s municipal sewage treatment system. Apollo has been identified by Burlington as the likely source of a recurring spike in levels of toxic 1,4-Dioxane in Burlington’s treated wastewater discharge to the Haw River. 

NC Attorney General Josh Stein and State Representative Robert Reives (who represents Chatham and Randolph counties) came to Pittsboro last week to join Pittsboro Mayor Kyle Shipp for a news conference announcing the legal action. Pittsboro is suing under the Clean Water Act, which regulates discharges of dangerous pollutants like probable carcinogen 1,4-Dioxane—even though powerful state legislators have blocked an enforceable state numerical limit on the pollutant from taking effect. 

Pittsboro Stands Against Polluters

At the news conference, Pittsboro Mayor Shipp called on state lawmakers and the courts to “hold polluters accountable” and to fund advanced treatment. “It is imperative that we strengthen our environmental regulations and enforce the laws designed to protect communities like ours from the consequences of contamination. We seek not only justice for the wrongs of the past, but also the assurance that our environment will be preserved for generations to come.”

This is the second lawsuit which Pittsboro has initiated in fighting the toxic contamination of the Haw River. Pittsboro filed its first lawsuit against polluting companies for their PFAS contamination into the Haw River. Last year, many of these companies reached settlements, some paying up to $10.3 billion.

Additionally, the Environmental Protection agency revised its limits for PFAS in June 2022. These limits require Chemours to pay an additional $200 million to protect households from their pollution. Chemours has challenged EPA’s new limits on the forever chemicals. Federal courts heard Chemours’ challenge earlier this month. Read more about Chemours efforts to avoid accountability here.