Friday, September 6, 2024–7:30 p.m.-
-Calhoun Times-
This story is possible because of a news-sharing agreement with the Rome News-Tribune. More information can be found at northwestgeorgianews.com
A town hall meeting concerning Calhoun’s water supply is scheduled for later this month.
Set for Saturday, Sept. 21, at The Spot 365, 365 S. Industrial Blvd., at 10 a.m., the public meeting hosted by PFAS Georgia is scheduled to host environmental activist Erin Brockovich.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), sometimes referred to as “forever chemicals,” have been an emerging and ongoing issue for many communities across the nation, including a host of municipalities across Northwest Georgia.
“Northwest Georgia deserves a team who knows how to take on big corporations and secure justice,” attorney Ben Finley said. “I’ve been doing that in Georgia for 33 years, and I’m excited to work with Erin Brockovich, Bob Bowcock, and our team of local attorneys to raise awareness of this water crisis and make sure residents have the tools they need to fight back.”
According to PFAS Georgia, members of the public are invited to learn about how communities in the area became contaminated with these chemicals, and what they can do about it, while hearing from lawyers, water expert Bob Bowcock and Brockovich — specifically regarding the PFAS family of chemicals. Brockovich’s activism was the subject of the self-titled 2000 film “Erin Brockovich” starring Georgia native Julia Roberts.
“I’ve spent my life holding corporations accountable and fighting to ensure that everyone has access to clean and safe drinking water,” Brockovich said. “These are man-made and preventable disasters that never should’ve happened. The toxic PFAS contamination around Dalton is some of the worst I’ve seen in my career. That’s why I’m joining this fight and why I’m standing with this community to make sure they have the tools they need to hold those responsible accountable.”
PFAS Georgia says the chemicals came from area chemical companies, and local manufacturing operations, and eventually contaminated wastewater treatment plants and the water supplies, as well as residential areas and farms.
For Murray County residents, the same type of town hall is scheduled for the day prior (Friday, Sept. 20), at 6 p.m., at The Venue at Cottonwood Farm, 350 Crisp Road, in Chatsworth.
For more information about PFAS contamination, as well as upcoming town hall meetings and other resources, visit pfasgeorgia.com online.
To keep up with local PFAS information, the City of Calhoun has established a page at cityofcalhoun-ga.com/pfas-information online, and a citizen-led coalition named Calhoun: Water Matters, a group that can be found on Facebook has been established. Area conservation group Coosa River Basin Initiative also have PFAS information at coosa.org online.