The City of Penticton is joining B.C.’s national class-action lawsuit aimed at holding manufacturers of “forever chemicals” accountable for contamination of drinking-water systems.
The lawsuit seeks to recover costs associated with detecting, monitoring and removing the chemicals from water systems.
Penticton said it has been a national leader in protecting residents and visitors from perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS.
PFAS are a group of human-made chemicals used in products such as non-stick cookware, cleaning supplies, safety gear and water-resistant materials.
The province is seeking to recover the costs of detecting, monitoring and removing the chemicals from water systems.
“Penticton is taking a proactive and responsible approach to protect our drinking water, now and into the future,” Mayor Julius Bloomfield said. “Our water is safe, but the ongoing costs of monitoring and mitigating these forever chemicals is significant. By joining this action, we are helping ensure municipalities are not left to manage the long-term costs of these contaminants on their own.”
The province said Penticton will represent municipalities as the case moves through the courts.
The city will also play a leading role in co-ordinating municipalities as they work to mitigate the impact of the chemicals. By joining B.C.’s class action, the city will help demonstrate how the chemicals are affecting communities throughout the province.
“Municipalities are managing the real impacts of these chemicals every day,” Attorney General Niki Sharma said. “By working with the City of Penticton, we are strengthening this class action and making sure companies that created and profited from chemicals that are affecting our water systems are held accountable.”
The province said the case is moving to the certification stage, where the court will decide whether it can proceed as a class action on behalf of a larger group.
As part of that process, the province has asked the court to include the City of Penticton as a representative for municipalities and help ensure municipal perspectives and community impacts are presented in court.
