Residents of Summerville, Georgia, are one step closer to cleaner drinking water after a federal district court approved two class-action settlements totaling $1.25 million. The settlements address the contamination of the town’s water supply with PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), often referred to as “forever chemicals.” The issue stemmed from the historical spreading of biosolids – treated sewage sludge – on farms and properties upstream from Summerville. These biosolids contained PFAS, which leached into the water supply. The US District Court for the Northern District of Georgia finalized the agreements last Wednesday. Chemical producer Huntsman International LLC will contribute $750,000 to the fund, while Mount Vernon Mills Inc. and the Town of Trion, Georgia, will contribute $500,000. The lawsuits alleged that Mount Vernon Mills’ textile mill was a significant source of PFAS contamination. Legal proceedings are ongoing with other defendants but advocates say this is a crucial step towards mitigating the pervasive issue of PFAS contamination in drinking water sources for Summerville water customers.

Bloomberg Law News contributed to this report.