Illinois American Water customers may be receiving a credit from the company in their latest bills as part of a settlement with companies that produce “forever chemicals.”
Illinois American said in a statement to the Journal Star that the Illinois Commerce Commission approved a “credit tariff rider” that will allow it to distribute the proceeds from the settlement to customers. In the first wave of bills, the company said it would send out $17 million to customers through the agreement with the ICC.
Illinois American Water was part of a class-action lawsuit filed in 2018 alleging that companies such as Tyco, 3M and DuPont produced products that contaminated groundwater near various airports across the country. A settlement was reached in 2023, allowing for billions of dollars to be paid to the water firms.
The new credits come as the company is looking to meet new standards for PFAS – synthetic chemicals known for their resistance to oils and water – put in place in April by the Illinois Pollution Control Board. Groundwater quality samples in municipalities covered by water companies must be below four parts per trillion, and all must be in compliance with the new standards by 2029.
The Peoria Community Water System saw one groundwater sample contain levels of PFAS above the new regulations during a test in April. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency required Illinois American Water to send notices to customers warning them of the positive sample and of the risks coming from the exposure to PFAS, such as increased risks of cancer, obesity and birth defects.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Here’s why Illinois American Water customers may be getting a credit on their next bill
Reporting by Zach Roth, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
