New Testing Brings Total Of GenX-Contaminated Wells To 85

State officials say tests have found high levels of a potentially harmful compound at dozens of additional wells near a chemical company's manufacturing facility.

The tests focused on GenX, which has been found in the Cape Fear River downstream from the Chemours Co. plant in Bladen County. The results announced Monday bring the total number of wells contaminated by GenX to 85.

The Fayetteville Observer reports the verified results from tests conducted last month also found 48 wells with a level of the chemical below the state's health goal.

Traces of GenX also have been found in two municipal wells used by the Bladen County water system, around 3 miles from the Chemours plant.

The state is suspending Chemours' permit to discharge wastewater into a neighboring river on Nov. 30. Officials took action after the Wilmington, Delaware-based company failed to report an October spill of a GenX precursor.