This map from Vermont ANR (March 2016) shows the location of the former Chemfab plant (within black box), which is near Bennington College (upper middle). The circles show tested wells: blue is no contamination, yellow is low, orange is medium and red is highly contaminated.
Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Governor Phil Scott, Attorney General TJ Donovan, Senator Dick Sears, and Bennington legislators Senator Brian Campion, Representative Mary Morrissey, Representative Tim Corcoran, Representative Kiah Morris, and Representative Rachael Fields on Thursday issued a joint statement announcing that Saint-Gobain will fund the early-stage design work for extending a waterline to bring municipal water to those whose wells were contaminated by PFOA. Saint-Gobain bought the former Chemfab plant in North Bennington near Bennington College in 2000 and closed it in 2002. The former plastics plant has been blamed for the possible carcinogen PFOA being found in February 2016 in nearby wells. Saint-Gobain is also in court with the state claiming that the state's contamination level of 20 parts per trillion is too low a standard for PFOA.
The joint statement reads:
“We are all pleased that important progress has been made in settlement discussions with Saint-Gobain relating to PFOA contamination.Yesterday (Wednesday), the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources and the Attorney General’s Office secured an agreement from Saint-Gobain to fund critical design work to support the state’s goal of starting waterline extension construction in 2017. Saint-Gobain has agreed to fund that critical work regardless of whether we are ultimately able to reach a settlement agreement.
“While this agreement does not cover design work for the entire area and additional investigation and negotiation remains to be done, we continue to believe that settlement represents the best and fastest path to a permanent drinking water solution for the residents of Bennington and North Bennington. We also want to be clear that we will only continue to pursue and support a negotiated settlement if it remains in the best interest of the people of Bennington and North Bennington.We will continue to hold Saint-Gobain responsible because the ‘polluter pays’ model is critical to cleaning up contaminated sites across the state.”
Governor Phil Scott said: “The entire state team is actively engaged in moving toward resolution for the people of Bennington and North Bennington, and my commitment has not and will not waver. I understand the residents impacted by this contamination are frustrated, and I share that frustration over the pace of negotiations with Saint-Gobain, but we will not let the settlement discussions stand in the way of preparing for construction.”
Attorney General TJ Donovan added: “My team and I are committed to working with the Governor, our state agency partners, and members of the Bennington community to see this through to a solution for Bennington County. We’re working toward a commonsense solution that gives the people of Bennington and North Bennington comfort that their public health and water is being protected and we will continue moving forward on that track.”
Senator Dick Sears, on behalf of the legislative delegation, said: “We remain committed to the settlement process, but the delegation has already been preparing for ‘Plan B’ in the event Saint-Gobain stops being a willing partner. The bill introduced to expedite waterline extensions has now passed the Senate and the House, and the Governor has committed to signing it as soon as it gets to his desk.Lastly, the entire delegation wants to reiterate how important it is to us that we make every effort to begin construction in 2017 and ensure that the ultimate resolution is protective of public health and holds the polluter responsible.”
According to the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, the chemical Perfluorooctanoic (PFOA) is a possible carcinogen. Following news reports in the fall of 2015 of potential PFOA contamination just across the border in Hoosik Falls, NY, DEC took the proactive step of testing water supplies in North Bennington. Samples from the immediate are of concern were tested, along with the public drinking supply. Results were received this morning that showed the public water supply has not been affected but some residential and commercial wells are.
In Vermont, the standard level of PFOA is 20 parts per trillion. Results from a wastewater treatment plant well – water that is not used for drinking – showed PFOA levels of 618 parts per trillion. A business in the area showed levels of 168 parts per trillion. Results from three residential wells showed a range of 40 parts per trillion to 2,880 parts per trillion.
PFOA is what is known as an emerging containment. It is not a chemical that is tested for in standard water tests or listed on a list of hazardous chemicals under federal law that require management. There is no at-home test that detects PFOA. The test for PFOA requires samples be sent out-of-state.
PFOA can be harmful when ingested. It is not absorbed through the skin if present in water used for washing. PFOA is used in a variety of products, such as Teflon, fire-fighting foams, coating additives and cleaning products.
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Source: Governor 4.27.2017