Thursday's agreement follows recent testing of ground water that showed what the EPA calls "a widespread presence" of at least 19 different artificial chemicals known as PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.
And the contamination showed up in wells within a three mile radius of the plant.
The EPA also says because the plant has been discharging these chemicals for more than 50 years, this constitutes "an imminent and substantial endangerment" to people living nearby.
As part of the settlement, 3M is required to offer treatment to all private well owners within three miles of the facility and to the Camanche Water Supply, just across the Mississippi River. 3M is also required to offer drinking water sampling out to 10 miles from the Cordova plant for public water systems as well as to the Quad Cities’ public water systems.
