Maryland Residents Sue Perdue Over PFAS Water Contamination

Two Salisbury residents have filed a federal lawsuit against Perdue AgriBusiness, alleging the company improperly disposed of wastewater containing PFAS, or "forever chemicals," contaminating local groundwater and private wells near its Salisbury facility. The lawsuit claims Perdue violated the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act by dumping PFAS-laden waste into nearby streams and spraying contaminated wastewater on fields, resulting in PFAS levels vastly exceeding EPA drinking water limits, with some groundwater testing showing levels up to 340 times higher than standards. This legal action follows a prior class action lawsuit filed in late 2024 by over 500 residents citing similar contamination. Plaintiffs argue Perdue delayed notifying residents about the high PFAS levels for nearly a year despite knowing the risks, and that the company's mitigation efforts, including providing bottled water and filtration systems, are inadequate. Perdue denies wrongdoing and emphasizes cooperation with state regulators, but the case highlights broader concerns about corporate responsibility and environmental health risks posed by persistent PFAS contamination in rural communities reliant on private wells. The Maryland Department of the Environment discovered the elevated PFAS levels during statewide testing in 2023, prompting increased scrutiny of Perdue's waste disposal practices.