Chemical company, Chemours, instructed to promptly reduce PFAS discharge into the Ohio River
Chemours' Washington Works Plant Ordered to Immediately Stop PFAS Discharges into Ohio River
The Chemours' Washington Works plant in West Virginia has been ordered by a federal judge to immediately halt the discharge of PFAS ("forever chemicals") into the Ohio River, following repeated violations of its pollution permit and threats to human health and the environment.
The court ruling, issued on August 2025, finds that Chemours "blatantly violates" the Clean Water Act by releasing HFPO-DA and GenX chemicals above legally permitted limits. Despite Chemours' claims of progress in reducing its PFAS emissions, the judge criticizes the company for treating its permit as an unrestricted permission, noting ongoing unlawful discharge that increases public health risks.
This legal action is part of a broader federal and public effort to address PFAS pollution from industrial sites. The U.S. EPA has taken steps since 2023 to enforce PFAS discharge limits, and lawsuits against Chemours and related companies for water contamination and health impacts are ongoing.
Judge Joseph Goodwin granted the non-profit West Virginia Rivers Coalition's request for a preliminary injunction, requiring Chemours to reduce discharges of HFPO-DA from its Washington Works facility. The judge's injunction requires Chemours to immediately stop exceeding permitted limits for HFPO-DA discharges into the Ohio River.
Chemours, however, disagrees with the court's characterization of violations and plans to appeal. The company claims that the Washington Works facility has shown "positive progress in reducing its PFAS emissions," and recent HFPO-DA discharges have fallen within permitted limits. However, the judge's ruling points to ongoing unlawful discharge that increases public health risks.
| Aspect | Current Status | |-----------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Legal status | Federal court order to immediately stop PFAS discharges from facility[1][5]| | Emissions | Past illegal discharge of HFPO-DA and GenX above permit limits; recent reductions reported by Chemours but disputed by court[1][2]| | Chemours' response | Disagrees with court ruling; plans to appeal; claims progress in compliance[1]| | Regulatory context | First EPA Clean Water Act enforcement action on PFAS discharges; part of larger national PFAS regulatory and litigation wave[1][4]|
The order may have broader implications for other companies that are accused of violating environmental regulations and contributing to pollution. The order is significant as it is a rare instance of a federal judge granting a preliminary injunction to stop industrial pollution.
PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals that have been used in a wide range of industrial and consumer products since the 1940s. These chemicals are persistent in the environment and have been linked to various health problems, including cancer, thyroid disease, and developmental issues in children. Chemours' Washington Works facility has been a point of contention for environmental groups and local communities due to its alleged contribution to PFAS contamination in the Ohio River.
In a related development, Chemours, DuPont de Nemours, and Corteva jointly agreed in June 2023 to pay almost $1.2 billion to settle PFAS-related claims covering a defined set of US waterways. Chemours agreed to contribute approximately half the amount. According to Public Justice, Chemours had been surpassing permitted limits for Gen-X chemicals into the Ohio River with increasing frequency and severity, including an excess of 454% and 166% in November 2024.
This order marks a victory for the West Virginia Rivers Coalition and other environmental groups in their efforts to hold Chemours accountable for its alleged environmental violations. It underscores the urgent need for stricter regulation and enforcement of PFAS discharge limits to protect public health and the environment.
[1] New York Times article on the order [2] Chemours' statement on the order [3] EPA's PFAS Action Plan [4] West Virginia Rivers Coalition's statement on the order [5] Court order
- The ruling in August 2025 represents a pivotal moment in the ongoing battle against PFAS pollution, serving as a precedent for stricter regulation and enforcement in the industry.
- The finances of Chemours, a major player in the chemical industry, may be impacted due to potential penalties and clean-up costs arising from the court order to halt PFAS discharges.
- The environmental science community hails the court order as a significant step towards addressing climate-change issues associated with PFAS contamination, especially in the Ohio River.
- The political landscape is now under pressure to address PFAS regulation and legislation more comprehensively, given the rising public concern and health risks exposed by the Chemours' case.
- General news coverage highlights that the order imposes new burdens on Chemours and the chemical industry as a whole, pushing them to re-evaluate their environmental practices and adhere more closely to science-based policies.
