New Jersey PFAS Lawsuit: DuPont, 3M, Solvay, and Arkema Settlements

Since 2019, New Jersey has secured roughly $3 billion through PFAS lawsuit settlements with the chemical manufacturers it blames for contaminating drinking water, soil, and natural resources across the state. The four agreements are a proposed $2 billion-plus deal with DuPont, Chemours, and Corteva announced in August 2025; a settlement worth up to $450 million with 3M announced in May 2025; a $393.8 million settlement with Solvay approved in March 2024; and a $33.95 million settlement with Arkema approved in August 2025.1Kelley Drye & Warren LLP. PFAS and Emerging Contaminants The two largest are still awaiting final court approval, and water utilities have filed objections that could reshape the terms.

The DuPont, Chemours, and Corteva Settlement

Announced on August 4, 2025, this is the largest of the four deals. It is valued at over $2 billion and resolves the state’s claims against DuPont, Chemours, and Corteva at four industrial sites, plus statewide PFAS claims and firefighting foam claims.2NJ Office of the Attorney General. Landmark Settlement With DuPont Valued at Over $2 Billion

The money is split three ways:

The four sites covered are Chambers Works in Salem County, Pompton Lakes Works in Passaic County, Repauno in Gloucester County, and Parlin in Middlesex County. Under the deal, the companies must keep investigating and remediating contamination at or emanating from those properties, backed by surety bonds and the reserve fund.4The Chemours Company. Chemours, DuPont, and Corteva Reach Agreement With the State of New Jersey

The deal came together after the state’s case against DuPont and Chemours went to trial. Chief Judge Renée Marie Bumb of the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey heard the Chambers Works case as a bench trial structured in “mini trials.” A second phase, focused on state claims that the 2015 spinoff of Chemours from DuPont was a fraudulent transfer designed to dodge cleanup liability, began on June 30, 2025. The settlement was announced roughly five weeks later.5Fox Rothschild PFAS Blog. NJDEP v. DuPont Chemours PFAS Trial Continues

The 3M Settlement

On May 13, 2025, the state announced a settlement with 3M worth up to $450 million, paid over 25 years. State officials called it the largest single clean-water settlement in New Jersey history at the time.6The New York Times. 3M PFAS Forever Chemical Lawsuit New Jersey The deal resolves the state’s 2019 lawsuits against 3M, the 2019 statewide PFAS directive, and the state’s aqueous film-forming foam claims, and it releases 3M from further liability for the manufacture, sale, and use of PFAS in New Jersey.7NJ Office of the Attorney General. Historic Settlement With 3M for Statewide PFAS Contamination

The payments are front-loaded. Between 2026 and 2034, 3M will pay $275 million to $325 million. That amount includes $43.45 million for natural resource damages at Chambers Works, $16.55 million for site-related PFAS abatement and drinking water treatment, and $40 million in the first year for fees, costs, and punitive damages. Another $125 million is scheduled for 2035 through 2050, and those later payments can be offset if local governments succeed on their own claims against 3M.8NJ DEP. 3M Settlement 3M did not admit liability.93M Investor Relations. 3M Resolves PFAS-Related Claims With the State of New Jersey

These state funds are separate from money New Jersey water systems expect from the 2023 nationwide 3M public water system settlement in the federal AFFF multidistrict litigation. That national deal is anticipated to deliver an additional $300 million to $500 million directly to New Jersey water providers.8NJ DEP. 3M Settlement

The Solvay Settlement

Solvay Specialty Polymers USA used PFAS chemicals at its West Deptford facility in Gloucester County for more than 30 years. The DEP sued in November 2020 after Solvay disputed the scope of the 2019 statewide directive, and the state announced a proposed settlement in June 2023.10WHYY. Solvay Specialty Polymers Historic Settlement PFAS Contamination South Jersey The final figure was $393.8 million, structured as follows:

  • $214 million performance guarantee for PFAS cleanup at and near the facility.
  • $100 million for public water system upgrades and private well treatment in affected communities, including Bellmawr, Gloucester City, Paulsboro, Woodbury, West Deptford, and surrounding towns.
  • $75 million for natural resource damages.
  • $3.7 million to reimburse the DEP for past response costs.11NJ Office of the Attorney General. Proposed Settlement With Solvay Polymers Regarding Forever Chemical Pollution

The Solvay settlement received final judicial approval on March 6, 2024, and is now an enforceable consent order.12NJ DEP. Solvay Settlement

The Arkema Settlement

Arkema, Inc. owned and operated the same West Deptford site from 1970 to 1990, before Solvay. It reached a separate $33.95 million settlement in May 2024. Of that total, $12.7 million covers natural resource damages and $21.25 million funds remedial projects, including drinking water treatment. Arkema must also maintain a $75 million reserve fund for at least 18 years to backstop the facility cleanup. The court approved the settlement on August 15, 2025.13NJ DEP. Arkema Settlement

Where the Money Goes

DEP Commissioner Shawn LaTourette has said the settlement money will go primarily to two things: treating public water supplies and private wells where PFAS levels are highest, and restoring natural resources damaged by contamination.14NJ Spotlight News. How Will NJ Spend Landmark Forever Chemical Settlement The DuPont deal directs $750 million of the direct-payment portion into a dedicated DEP trust account and requires the companies to keep investigating and remediating the four covered sites, with surety bonds and the $475 million reserve fund as financial backstops.4The Chemours Company. Chemours, DuPont, and Corteva Reach Agreement With the State of New Jersey The 3M deal similarly requires 3M to continue cleanup at its former New Jersey facilities.8NJ DEP. 3M Settlement

Water systems also stand to receive money from a separate track: the national AFFF multidistrict litigation in federal court in South Carolina. All four national class settlements in that litigation — with 3M, DuPont, the Tyco defendants, and BASF — have received final approval, and those funds go directly to water systems on top of what the state recovers.8NJ DEP. 3M Settlement15PFAS Water Settlement. AFFF MDL Water Settlement

What Is Still Pending

The DuPont settlement was published in the New Jersey Register on September 2, 2025, opening a 60-day public comment period. Under an amended court scheduling order, the DEP was to file its motion for judicial approval by November 21, 2025, with oral argument set for January 7, 2026.16NJ DEP. DuPont Settlement17Fox Rothschild PFAS Blog. Update on NJDEP PFAS Settlements With 3M and DuPont Entities The 3M deal is on a similar track.

In November 2025, the court permitted municipal utility and sewer authorities to file amicus briefs against the settlements, and at least two parties filed motions to intervene.17Fox Rothschild PFAS Blog. Update on NJDEP PFAS Settlements With 3M and DuPont Entities In December 2025, the National Association of Clean Water Agencies filed a brief urging the court to reject the DuPont deal. NACWA argued that the releases are too broad — sweeping in claims under CERCLA, the Clean Water Act, and the Safe Drinking Water Act — while the dollar amounts fall short of what water utilities will need for capital and operating costs. The trade group said the settlement would bind utilities that were never at the negotiating table and shift cleanup costs from the polluters to the public.18NACWA. NACWA Urges Court to Reject Proposed PFAS Settlement in Federal Filing As of early 2026, final court approval for both the DuPont and 3M settlements remains pending.

What This Means for New Jersey Residents

The state’s settlements are between New Jersey and the manufacturers. They do not stop individuals from bringing their own private claims against the companies over PFAS exposure or property damage.

Residential customers of one water utility have already received their own recovery. In October 2021, Middlesex Water Company notified customers in parts of Carteret, Clark, Edison, Metuchen, South Plainfield, and Woodbridge that their tap water exceeded state standards for PFOA.19Inside Climate News. New Jersey Forever Chemical Drinking Water Settlement A class action followed, and in October 2025 the parties announced a $4.9 million settlement covering roughly 60,000 affected customers. Eligible class members can claim up to $2,500 each for out-of-pocket costs such as bottled water, filtration systems, and medical consultations.20Newsweek. New Jersey Drinking Water Settlement Middlesex Water has since secured a new drinking water source that complies with state regulations.21NJ Spotlight News. NJ Residents to Receive $4.9M Settlement for PFAS Contamination in Drinking Water

Residents on private wells or public water in affected areas can watch two things. First, DEP’s site-specific pages for the 3M, DuPont, Solvay, and Arkema matters post updates on cleanup work and settlement status. Second, water systems participating in the national AFFF settlements will pass benefits through in the form of treatment upgrades funded by that separate pool of money. Together, the state and federal tracks are expected to move billions of dollars into New Jersey water infrastructure over the coming decades — assuming the pending settlements survive court review in their current form.