Boca Raton will receive $32 million as the result of the nationwide settlement of a class-action lawsuit against the manufacturers of so-called “forever chemicals” that are in tap water.
The city was one of a number of cities in South Florida — Delray Beach is getting $15 million — and in other states that had sued manufacturers of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl, or PFAS, which are linked to a variety of health problems including thyroid disease, liver damage, some cancers, weakened immunity and reduced fertility in women.
In addition to tap water, the chemicals are in a wide variety of products, including non-stick pans, carpets, clothing, cosmetics and pizza boxes. They have been present for decades.
Boca Raton will receive $29 million from 3M and $3 million from DuPont. The city retained the Ferraro Law Firm of Miami in 2023 to join in the litigation.
The settlement funds will be used to help pay for the construction of a new $55 million water treatment system that will remove more of the chemicals from the water. The city’s current system already removes some of them.
Even so, the city says that tap water is safe to drink and complies with current federal standards.
The city does not anticipate a water rate increase after the construction is completed in about 2031.
— Mary Hladky
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