Class-Action Lawsuit for Well Water Contaminated with ‘Forever Chemicals’
Residents in Torbay, Newfoundland, are taking legal action over contaminated well water. A class-action lawsuit has been filed against Transport Canada, alleging that they didn’t do enough to prevent “forever chemicals” from seeping into the residents’ water supply. The chemicals in question, perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl, are commonly found in fire suppression foam and non-stick coatings.
The lead plaintiff in the case is Eddie Sheerr, NTV’s chief meteorologist, whose family has been relying on bottled water for months due to the contaminated well water. The issue stems from firefighter training on the St. John’s International Airport property, which has been going on for years.
Although Transport Canada has cleaned up the site, the lawsuit claims that their efforts were insufficient. Tests have shown higher than approved levels of the chemicals in numerous wells. According to Sheerr, these chemicals are persistent in the environment and can accumulate in the body, increasing the risk of several types of cancer and other health issues.
The lawsuit is still pending certification, and the allegations have not been tested in court yet. If validated, this case could have implications not just for health but also for property values in the affected areas.
