Federal Judge Orders Chemours to Halt Toxic Discharges into Ohio River

A federal judge ordered Chemours Chemical Company to immediately halt the discharge of unlawful levels of toxic "forever chemicals" from its Washington Works plant into the Ohio River, citing ongoing violations of pollution discharge permits that threaten public health and the environment. U.S. District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin emphasized that Chemours has repeatedly and knowingly violated permit limits, exposing millions of people who rely on the Ohio River for drinking water to dangerous pollutants linked to cancer, liver and kidney damage, and other serious health issues. The West Virginia Rivers Coalition, which filed the lawsuit, hailed the ruling as a victory for public health and the environment. Chemours expressed disappointment in the ruling and plans to appeal, claiming to be working with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to resolve the violations, though it has yet to submit an EPA-approved compliance plan. The EPA issued a compliance order in 2023, and an Ohio Valley water treatment plant is moving forward with a $21 million upgrade to remove these chemicals, with funding expected from both the state and Chemours. The ruling requires Chemours to comply with its discharge permits immediately while the full case proceeds later this year.