An Alabama utility has reached a settlement with Minnesota-based 3M Co. (NYSE: MMM) over chemical contamination in the Tennessee River.

The West Morgan-East Limestone Water and Sewer Authority had sued multinational conglomerate 3M in a lawsuit that focused on PFOA and PFOS found in sludge the company had dumped on 287 acres of its riverfront facility in Decatur, according to the Associated Press.

The settlement allows for the utility to build a new filtration system, which has previously been estimated at a cost of $30 million.

The financial details of the settlement have not been disclosed.

In 2016, the utility had warned customers not to drink the water. Health risks from PFOA and PFOS chemicals include kidney and testicular cancer, liver damage, thyroid disease, decreased fertility and decreased birth weight.

3M said it has not used either chemical at the Decatur plant since 2008.

*Original article online at https://www.bizjournals.com/birmingham/news/2019/04/29/alabama-utility-3m-reach-settlement-over-chemical.html

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