Associated Press Published

Martinsburg to Sue Federal Government for Chemical Contamination

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A West Virginia city attorney has been authorized to file a claim against the federal government for the alleged chemical contamination of a plant by the Air National Guard.

The Journal reports the Martinsburg Council authorized Kin Sayre to file the claim Thursday.

In 2016, Martinsburg had to shut down its Big Springs Water Filtration Plant because of high PFOA and PFOS levels became detectable in its water supply.

Richard P. McCoy with the National Guard has said a base is responsible for PFOA seeping into the plant’s water supply. McCoy said PFOA is used in firefighting foam utilized by Air Force and National Guard airplanes.

Martinsburg was promised federal funds to remediate the contamination, and has reopened the plant, but has yet to receive the money.