Kiera Jefferson
The Cape Fear River is the largest river system in North Carolina, covering over 6,500 miles of streams. It provides water to several major cities in the state, including Greensboro, Durham, Chapel Hill, Fayetteville, and Wilmington. In recent years, the river has been facing significant pollution and contamination issues. The discovery of toxic chemicals, including PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) and GenX, in the river's water supply has raised concerns about the health and environmental impacts of this pollution. PFAS, also known as forever chemicals, have been linked to adverse health effects, and their presence in the river has led to lawsuits and efforts to address the contamination. The river also faces challenges from polluted runoff, agricultural operations, and the impacts of climate change, threatening the drinking water supply and ecological health of the region.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| River Length | Over 9,000 square miles |
| Population Served | 2 million North Carolinians |
| Pollution Sources | Industrial PFAS manufacturing, historic air emissions, effluent discharges, agricultural operations, urban runoff, climate change, unregulated chemical pollutants, animal feeding operations, stormwater runoff |
| Contaminants | GenX, PFAS ("forever chemicals"), PFOS |
| Health Effects | Weaker antibody responses, elevated cholesterol, decreased fetal and infant growth, kidney cancer, unknown long-term effects |
| Advocacy Groups | Cape Fear River Watch, Clean Cape Fear, Southern Environmental Law Center, Sokoto House, Grays Creek United Against PFAS |
| Legal Actions | Lawsuits against Chemours Company, NC Dept. of Environmental Quality, and polluters; Consent Order signed in February 2019 |
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What You'll Learn
The Chemours Company has been discharging waste into the river
The Chemours Company has been discharging waste into the Cape Fear River, polluting the water supply downstream. The contamination was first brought to light in 2017 when Wilmington, North Carolina's StarNews reported on the contamination of the region's drinking water supply by a chemical called GenX. This toxic chemical was traced back to the nearby Chemours chemical plant.
In response to this discovery, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) filed a lawsuit against Chemours in 2017, and the state attorney general filed another lawsuit the following year. Cape Fear River Watch, an environmental advocacy group, also sued Chemours in 2018 for discharging the chemical GenX into the river. The lawsuits resulted in a consent order that required Chemours to cease its discharges and address airborne PFAS pollution by installing scrubbers on its smokestacks.
However, despite the legal actions and the consent order, Chemours has continued to discharge waste into the river. In 2024, it was reported that the Cape Fear River watershed, which supplies drinking water for approximately 350,000 North Carolinians, remains contaminated with perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that Chemours and its parent company, DuPont, have dumped into the river for decades. The presence of PFAS in the river is a significant concern due to their potential adverse effects on human health, including thyroid problems, fertility issues, asthma, and an increased risk of certain cancers.
To make matters worse, Chemours has proposed expanding its PFAS manufacturing operations at its Fayetteville Works facility, drawing strong opposition from environmental groups and local residents. Despite the company's commitment to stop discharging GenX from its Fayetteville plant, the ongoing presence of PFAS in the river and the potential health risks associated with these "forever chemicals" have left the community searching for answers and solutions. The situation highlights the urgent need for stronger regulations and accountability to protect the health and well-being of those living near the Cape Fear River and dependent on its water supply.
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PFAS pollution and its health effects
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are synthetic chemicals that have been in use since the 1950s. They are found in a wide range of consumer, commercial, and industrial products, including cookware, food packaging, clothing, carpets, firefighting foam, cosmetics, and even drinking water. PFAS are known as "forever chemicals" due to their persistence in the environment and their potential adverse effects on human health.
One of the primary sources of PFAS pollution in the Cape Fear River is the Chemours chemical plant, which has been discharging waste into the river, contaminating the drinking water supply for hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians. This contamination has led to concerns about the potential health impacts of PFAS exposure.
PFAS exposure has been linked to various adverse health effects in humans and animals. Scientific studies have found associations between PFAS exposure and health issues such as elevated cholesterol levels, decreased fertility, developmental delays in children, reduced vaccine response, and an increased risk of certain cancers, including kidney, prostate, and testicular cancers. PFAS exposure may also impact pregnant and lactating women, as PFAS can be transferred to the fetus in the womb and to infants through breast milk, potentially causing low birth weight and other developmental issues.
The widespread occurrence of PFAS and the numerous exposure pathways present unique challenges in studying and regulating these chemicals. People can be exposed to PFAS through multiple routes, including ingestion of contaminated water, exposure to contaminated soil or household products, and inhalation of airborne PFAS particles. Certain occupations and residential proximity to PFAS-producing facilities can result in higher levels of exposure.
Addressing PFAS pollution requires a comprehensive approach involving government regulations, industrial compliance, and community advocacy. In the case of the Cape Fear River, lawsuits and consent orders have been pursued to hold responsible parties accountable and implement remediation plans. However, the persistent nature of PFAS means that even with these efforts, the effects of past contamination on the environment and human health may continue to be felt for some time.
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Cape Fear River Watch sues Chemours
The Cape Fear River in North Carolina has been contaminated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), including a chemical called GenX, which was found in the river in 2017. PFAS are often referred to as "forever chemicals" due to their persistence in the environment. The source of the pollution was the Fayetteville Works site, which was managed by DuPont spinoff, The Chemours Company, since 2015. As a result of this contamination, the drinking water supply for up to 500,000 people has been affected, leading to potential adverse health effects.
In response to this crisis, Cape Fear River Watch, an environmental advocacy group, sued Chemours in 2018 for discharging GenX into the Cape Fear River. The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) represented the group in the lawsuit, which alleged violations of the Clean Water Act and the Toxic Substances Control Act. The lawsuit aimed to hold Chemours and DuPont accountable for their reckless behaviour and to prevent further harm to the people and communities who rely on the river for their water supply.
The outcome of the lawsuit was a consent order, signed in February 2019, between Cape Fear River Watch, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ), and Chemours. The order required Chemours to cease its discharges, develop and execute a PFAS remediation plan, and pay a $12 million fine. Additionally, Chemours was to provide clean drinking water to those with contaminated wells and fund health studies on the impact of PFAS.
Despite the consent order, residents and advocacy groups continue to express concerns about the lingering contamination in the water, soil, and people's bodies. There are also ongoing efforts to ensure Chemours is complying with the requirements of the consent order and to push for further studies and regulatory action to address the PFAS pollution. Cape Fear River Watch has been dedicated to stopping pollution at its source, holding polluters accountable, and supporting the affected communities.
The pollution of the Cape Fear River and the subsequent lawsuit highlight the urgent need to address PFAS contamination and its potential health impacts on the surrounding communities. It also underscores the importance of strong regulatory action and corporate accountability to protect the environment and public health.
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The impact of climate change and flooding
The Cape Fear River is the largest river system in North Carolina, covering over 9,000 square miles and providing water to an estimated 2 million people. The river has been the subject of concern in recent years due to contamination by PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), also known as "forever chemicals". These chemicals have been linked to adverse health effects, including cancer and elevated cholesterol levels. The contamination has been attributed to industrial discharges, wastewater, and agricultural use.
In addition to the issue of chemical pollution, the Cape Fear River also faces the impacts of climate change and flooding. The river has supported robust commerce and agricultural operations throughout its history. However, the combination of past abuse and recent agricultural and population growth has put the river and its communities at risk. The increasing urbanization and subsequent suburbanization of the Cape Fear River watershed have resulted in sprawling development without adequate protections for clean water.
The river has been largely separated from its floodplain, limiting its resilience to climate change. The impacts of climate change, including more frequent and severe flooding events and historic droughts, have exacerbated the problem of polluted runoff from urban centers and agricultural operations. The excessive development has led to the creation of hard surfaces impermeable to water, inhibiting groundwater recharge and increasing stormwater runoff that washes pollutants into the river.
To address these challenges, an integrated water management strategy is being pursued in the upper reaches of the Cape Fear basin to restore the Haw River and balance the needs of human and natural communities. The removal of barriers, such as the uppermost dams on the main stem of the river, presents an opportunity to reconnect the Cape Fear and restore its health. Additionally, there is a growing demand for limited clean water supplies, further highlighting the importance of addressing the impacts of climate change and flooding on the river's health.
The Cape Fear River Watch, an environmental advocacy group, has been actively working to stop pollution and hold accountable those responsible. They have sued the polluters and government agencies, resulting in consent orders to cease discharges and implement remediation plans. However, the river remains vulnerable to the cumulative effects of climate change, flooding, and human activities, requiring continued efforts to protect and restore its health.
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Population growth and urbanisation
The Cape Fear River watershed has experienced significant population growth and urbanisation in recent years, with the Wilmington metro area alone gaining over 5,500 new residents between 2020 and 2021. The basin's total land cover consisted of 39% forests, 21% agriculture, and 11% development as of 2016. This development within the basin is projected to increase to 14% by 2060, with the region's urban areas potentially expanding by 165% during the same period. This rapid urbanisation has led to the construction of thousands of acres of hard, impermeable surfaces, impacting the landscape and water systems.
The growing population and urbanisation have resulted in excessive development without adequate water quality safeguards. This has put a strain on drinking water systems and inhibited groundwater recharge. Additionally, it has increased stormwater runoff, which washes pollutants into the river. The river's separation from its floodplain further limits its resilience to climate change, making it more vulnerable to the impacts of flooding and droughts.
The Cape Fear River Basin is facing the challenge of balancing the need for urban expansion and population growth with maintaining water quality. The increase in impermeable surfaces from urban development has altered the volume and frequency of stormwater runoff, leading to increased pollutant levels in the waterways. This, combined with agricultural operations and the impacts of climate change, has resulted in polluted runoff flowing into the river.
To address these issues, strategies such as implementing riparian buffers and modernising agricultural operations have been proposed. By establishing natural filters upstream, the impact of development and agriculture on water quality can be mitigated. Additionally, relocating Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) away from floodplains and improving waste disposal systems can reduce the amount of waste entering the waterways during flooding.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Cape Fear River is polluted with PFAS, or "forever chemicals", which have been discharged into the river by the Chemours Company. PFAS contamination has been present in the river for over 40 years, and the pollution has been linked to adverse health effects in nearby residents.
PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. PFAS are often referred to as "forever chemicals" because they do not break down in the environment. They can be found in various products such as cosmetics, apparel, microwave popcorn wrappers, tooth floss, firefighting gear, and some industrial and agricultural chemicals.
In 2018, Cape Fear River Watch sued the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) and Chemours for violating the Clean Water Act and Toxic Substances Control Act. A consent order was reached, requiring Chemours to stop discharges and implement a PFAS remediation plan. However, as of 2024, PFAS pollution remains an issue in the Cape Fear River, and residents continue to advocate for stronger action and better water quality standards.
