Town Officials Push for Fair Share of Settlement Funds After Millions Spent on Water Treatment

Merrimack, a town in New Hampshire, finds itself at the center of a complex situation involving PFAS pollution and the distribution of settlement funds. The community, which has already invested heavily in addressing the contamination, now seeks recognition for its proactive approach. Local officials are advocating for a portion of the expected settlement funds to offset the substantial costs already incurred by the town’s ratepayers. This situation highlights the challenges communities face that take early action to address environmental concerns, only to potentially take advantage of later financial support.

5 Key Points

  • Merrimack voters approved $14.5 million in 2019 to filter four public wells contaminated with PFAS chemicals.
  • New Hampshire is expected to receive approximately $65 million from PFAS-related settlements over the next two to three years.
  • A new law in New Hampshire will ban the sale of certain products containing intentionally added PFAS starting in 2027.
  • Local officials in Merrimack are arguing for reimbursement from settlement funds to cover the town’s past cleanup costs.
  • Pollution has had significant personal impacts on Merrimack residents, including potential health issues attributed to long-term exposure.

Merrimack’s Early Action Against Water Contamination

In 2019, Merrimack took decisive action against PFAS pollution in its water supply, demonstrating a commitment to public health that came with a hefty price tag. Voters approved a $14.5 million expenditure for the Merrimack Village District to filter four public wells contaminated with these harmful chemicals. This proactive move placed a significant financial burden on local ratepayers, who chose to address the issue promptly rather than wait for potential outside assistance. The town’s swift response to the PFAS threat set an example for other communities facing similar challenges. In addition to the town’s efforts, Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics, identified as a source of PFAS emissions in the area, agreed to fund filtration for two additional public wells. While this corporate responsibility was welcome, it addressed only a portion of the community’s overall contamination issue, leaving Merrimack to bear the brunt of the cleanup costs.

The Battle for Equitable Fund Distribution

Rep. Rosemarie Rung, a Democrat representing Merrimack, has become a vocal advocate for the town’s financial interests in the wake of costly PFAS mitigation efforts. With New Hampshire set to receive approximately $65 million from lawsuits against PFAS manufacturers over the next few years, Rung argues that Merrimack should be compensated for its early and costly intervention. The settlement money is currently slated to be directed to the Drinking Water and Groundwater Trust Fund, which will provide loans and grants to public water systems with PFAS levels exceeding standards. Rung contends that Merrimack’s proactive measures should ensure the town gets all these funds, especially given the financial commitment already made by local residents. She emphasizes the fairness of allocating some of the settlement money to cover the costs Merrimack ratepayers committed to years ago. This situation raises important questions about equitably distributing resources to communities affected by environmental contamination, particularly when some have already taken significant steps to address the problem.

PFAS Contamination: A Widespread Environmental Concern

The issue of PFAS pollution extends far beyond Merrimack’s borders, affecting communities across New Hampshire and the nation. At a recent press conference, lawmakers and activists gathered to discuss the challenges posed by these “forever chemicals,” choosing a setting that poignantly illustrated the pervasive nature of the contamination. The event took place in a Merrimack park along the Souhegan River, serving as a stark reminder that even areas of natural beauty are not immune to the reach of these persistent pollutants. Laurene Allen, co-founder of Merrimack Citizens for Clean Water, highlighted the contradiction between the town’s picturesque appearance and its underlying environmental reality. She pointed out that despite Merrimack’s numerous parks and natural resources, the area is comprehensively contaminated with PFAS, which she described as among the most persistent endocrine disruptors. This juxtaposition of natural beauty and invisible contamination underscores the insidious nature of PFAS pollution and the challenges communities face in addressing it.

New Hampshire’s Legislative Response to PFAS

Recent legislative efforts in New Hampshire have aimed to address the PFAS issue more comprehensively, with mixed results. House Bill 1649, signed into law by Governor Chris Sununu in August, represents a significant step forward in the state’s approach to PFAS contamination. The bill will ban the sale of certain products containing intentionally added PFAS in New Hampshire starting in 2027, including items such as cosmetics, carpets, and products for young children. This legislation acknowledges the widespread use of PFAS in everyday products and seeks to stem the flow of these chemicals into the environment. However, not all proposed measures have successfully navigated the legislative process. Governor Sununu vetoed House Bill 1415, which would have created stricter liability standards for PFAS facilities. The governor cited concerns from the New Hampshire Business and Industry Association regarding conflicting standards as the reason for his veto. Rep. Nancy Murphy, the bill’s prime sponsor, has indicated plans to refile the legislation and potentially attempt to override the veto, highlighting the ongoing debate over balancing environmental protection with business interests.

The Human Cost of Environmental Contamination

The impact of PFAS contamination on Merrimack residents goes beyond environmental and financial concerns, touching deeply on personal health and well-being. Rep. Wendy Thomas, who successfully passed a bill to notify property buyers about potential PFAS pollution, shared her own health struggles, putting a human face on the statistics and scientific data. Thomas attributes her breast cancer to high levels of PFAS detected in her blood, a stark illustration of the potential long-term health effects of exposure to these chemicals. She also mentioned other health issues affecting her family, including her husband’s quadruple bypass at a relatively young age, and noted the frequent occurrences of cancer in pets throughout the town. These personal stories underscore the urgency of addressing PFAS contamination and highlight the real-world consequences of environmental pollution on community health. The experiences of Merrimack residents serve as a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness between environmental policy, public health, and citizens’ daily lives, emphasizing the need for comprehensive approaches to address and prevent such contamination in the future.