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NewsWPLG Local 10November 4, 2026Miami-Dade County

3M agrees to pay up to $7.35 billion to settle groundwater contamination claims over 'forever chemicals'

Photo: WPLG Local 10

Chemical manufacturer 3M agreed to pay up to $7.35 billion over nine years to settle lawsuits brought by individuals who claim they were harmed by groundwater contamination from PFAS compounds. The company did not admit liability under the agreement. Payouts are scheduled to begin with $50 million this year, followed by annual payments exceeding $1 billion from 2028 through 2033.

EnvironmentPublic HealthLegal SettlementsWater Quality
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Why It Matters

Up to 120,000 individuals exposed to PFAS-contaminated groundwater stand to receive financial compensation over a nine-year period to help cover medical expenses and related costs.

Key Facts

  • Chemical manufacturer 3M agreed to pay up to $7.35 billion to settle groundwater contamination lawsuits.
  • The settlement covers up to 120,000 people who claim harm from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure.
  • 3M did not admit liability under the terms of the agreement.
  • Payments will be distributed over nine years, starting with $50 million this year.
  • Annual payments of more than $1 billion each will run from 2028 to 2033.
  • 3M reserves the option to cancel the settlement and continue fighting the lawsuit if too few plaintiffs participate.
  • 3M previously reached a $450 million agreement with New Jersey for natural resource contamination.
  • 3M previously agreed to pay more than $10 billion to U.S. public drinking water systems.
  • Other manufacturers, including DuPont, Chemours, and Corteva, agreed to settlements totaling over $1 billion for PFAS claims.

Who's Mentioned

OrganizationMotley Rice“Law firm helping negotiate the settlement for plaintiffs”PersonFred Thompson“Attorney with the Motley Rice law firm”OrganizationEnvironmental Protection Agency“Federal agency setting limits on PFAS in public drinking water”Organization3M“Chemical manufacturer agreeing to the settlement”PersonWilliam Brown“3M chairman”OrganizationWhite House Office of Management and Budget“Office reviewing a stalled study on industrial wastewater”locationBoise“City where reporter Boone reported from”OrganizationDuPont de Nemours Inc.“Other manufacturer involved in PFAS settlements”OrganizationChemours Co.“Spinoff and manufacturer involved in PFAS settlements”OrganizationCorteva Inc.“Spinoff and manufacturer involved in PFAS settlements”locationMinnesota“State where 3M is based”locationNew Jersey“State that reached a prior settlement with 3M”locationIdaho“State where reporter Boone reported from”locationSt. Paul“City where 3M is based”