City wins millions in tap water lawsuit — Delray Beach will receive $15 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 — Boca Raton is getting $32 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.
Delray Beach is preparing to start construction on a new $280 million water treatment plant. Costs have escalated in recent years, primarily because of the cost of PFAS-removing technology.
— Mary Hladky and Larry Barszewski
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