Chemours’ to start test panel construction on its barrier wall

SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — To further restrict the amount of PFAS contamination in the Cape Fear River, Chemours is moving into its next construction phase of building a barrier wall on Monday, Dec. 12.

The company announced in a press release Thursday it will start to build the test panel, a small portion of the wall.

READ MORE: Chemours settles permit appeal, agrees to comply with stricter PFAS reduction

"This test panel will allow us to collect data on several elements of the project, including our construction equipment and the building materials we plan to use," the release explained.

The work will take place in daylight hours and is expected to be completed within the week.

"Nearby neighbors may hear noise from the equipment used for this test panel construction," the company indicated in the release.

The wall is part of remediation efforts addressed in a consent order signed by Department of Environmental Quality, Cape Fear River Watch, and Chemours. The 1-mile barrier wall will collect and treat water before it's released into the river.

It will extend 60- to 80-feet deep and be roughly 2.5-feet thick to block groundwater from escaping into the waterway. It will help remove an estimated 99.9% of PFAS compounds before being released into the Cape Fear.

Completed construction is required by March 2023 per the October 2020 consent order.

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