The City of Prescott has received its first payment as part of a major legal settlement over chemical contamination in the city’s drinking water.
The $548,873.89 check came from a settlement with the company 3M, one of several manufacturers linked to PFAS—a group of long-lasting chemicals sometimes called “forever chemicals” that have been found in water supplies across the country. These chemicals are used in things like nonstick cookware, firefighting foam, and water-resistant fabrics.
This is just the beginning of a long-term payout. The 3M settlement will be paid out in ten installments through the year 2033, with the second payment expected later this year—and that check will likely be even bigger, based on how the funds are being divided.
Prescott is also expecting settlement payments from three other companies: DuPont, Tyco, and BASF. Those agreements have been reached, and the money should be coming soon.
The contamination issue was tied to just one well in Prescott’s water system, which was found to be over the new federal safety limit for PFAS, set by the EPA in 2024.
That well was quickly taken offline, and the rest of the city’s water remains safe and fully up to federal standards.
City officials say the settlement funds will help cover past and future costs of dealing with the contamination and keeping Prescott’s water clean.