Attorney General John M. Formella announces that New Hampshire has received a $7.278 million payment from 3M Company as part of a settlement resolving claims by public drinking water providers affected by PFAS contamination. The payment brings New Hampshire’s total recovery from four PFAS-related settlements to more than $43 million, with additional payments expected to continue through at least 2033.
“These settlement funds bring a critical stream of revenue to the State to assist our public water systems in addressing PFAS contamination in their water sources so Granite Staters have access to safe, clean drinking water,” said Attorney General Formella. “But we have more work to do to hold the manufacturers of harmful PFAS compounds and AFFF accountable for the contamination of New Hampshire’s waters, soils, and other natural resources. We will not stop fighting until these polluters pay their fair share to clean up the mess they created and protect the health of our citizens.”
New Hampshire is receiving these settlement payments as a result of the State’s ongoing litigation against the manufacturers of PFAS and aqueous film-forming foam, or AFFF. The funds will be deposited into the New Hampshire Drinking Water and Groundwater Trust Fund pursuant to RSA 485-H:6 and distributed to eligible New Hampshire public water systems to help address PFAS contamination in their water sources. Through the efforts of the New Hampshire Department of Justice and the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, the State asserted claims on behalf of all eligible New Hampshire public water systems to maximize New Hampshire’s share of the available settlement funds.
New Hampshire has participated in four national settlements addressing PFAS contamination in public drinking water systems involving 3M, DuPont, Tyco, and BASF. The settlements were previously approved by a federal judge overseeing multidistrict litigation in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina. Four additional water provider settlements have recently been announced involving Amerex Corporation, Archroma U.S., Inc., Nation Ford Chemical Company, and Carrier Global Corporation. Those settlements remain subject to federal court approval before claims may be submitted.
The water provider settlements cover only one category of damages sought by New Hampshire. The State continues to pursue additional recovery for damages caused by the manufacture and sale of PFAS and AFFF, including contamination of New Hampshire’s waters, soils, and other natural resources.
New Hampshire has been a leader in identifying and addressing the emerging threats posed by PFAS. The State was among the first in the nation to establish drinking water standards for PFAS and filed suit against PFAS manufacturers in 2019 on behalf of New Hampshire citizens, including all public water systems.
Information for public water systems regarding the PFAS settlement funds is available on the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services website.
