The Sioux City Council will discuss approving a settlement statement of about $89,000 from BASF Corporation in its meeting Monday.
According to a city memo, the settlement statement is in connection to a PFA’s class action lawsuit. The company was sued for contamination of drinking water due to its aqueous film-forming foam products containing PFAS, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.
It says in 2022 and 2023, the Environmental Protection Agency updated the health advisory levels for PFAs in drinking water. PFAS, or forever chemicals, are man-made chemicals that don’t break down in the environment.
The city council joined national lawsuits against 3M, Dupont, Tyco Fire Products LP, and BASF Corporation after forever chemicals were found in the public drinking water source. The companies are manufacturers of PFA’s. The lawsuit claims 3M and Dupont were aware that their products contained PFAS, ultimately leading to contamination.
Based on previous settlement agreements, Sioux City provided diverse data regarding the presence of PFAS in public drinking water sources.
In early April, the city council approved a settlement statement from Tyco Fire Products of approximately $161,000.
The city will receive the remaining funds of about $67,000 from BASF once the Common Benefit Assessment, attorney fees, and litigation costs are deducted.
