The Town of Trion has unanimously decided to settle a federal lawsuit related to PFAS water contamination by paying $250,000. This settlement addresses claims made by Earl Parris Jr. against Trion, Mount Vernon Mills, 3M, and other parties during a town council meeting. The lawsuit claims that PFAS, known as “forever chemicals,” contaminated the local drinking water.

The settlement aims to resolve all legal claims in the case currently before the U. S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Rome Division. The $250,000 payment will come directly from Trion’s bank account, as the town’s insurance will not cover it, and does not cover accumulating legal fees since the lawsuit began around 2021.

The funds will be used for lawyer fees and to create a temporary drinking water fund, which will provide bottled water and water filters to Summerville customers. The lawsuit highlights the environmental and health issues related to PFAS in industrial areas across the U. S. and calls for measures to prevent further PFAS discharge and contamination.

The Trion Town Council voted to pay the funds during their regular monthly meeting in February.