New analysis of preserved Cape Fear River water samples shows that New Hanover County’s drinking water source was contaminated by shockingly high levels of toxic contaminants for years before the state had the technology to measure it.

Research published this month in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Environmental Science & Technology Letters shows the public was for decades unknowingly drinking water poisoned with PFAS at more than 1,500 times the recommended level. PFAS is a class of chemicals which includes GenX, the poison that was discovered in the same river two years ago.

While GenX polluter Chemours is already under court order to cease its toxic discharges, litigation continues over what is necessary to clean up massive residual environmental contamination and how to pay for it.

The study provides another warning of just how dangerous to public health it can be to release new pollutants into the environment before their effects can be tested and understood. It also underscores the need to adequately and continually fund the pollution monitoring and analysis capacity of the state’s environmental agencies.