3M agrees to $10.3 billion present-value PFAS settlement with U.S. public water utilities

Judge Richard Mark Gergel of the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina preliminarily approves a $12.5 billion gross settlement between 3M and public water utilities contaminated by PFAS — equivalent to $10.3 billion in present value paid over 13 years. The settlement covers all active U.S. public water systems with detectable PFAS or required to test under federal monitoring requirements. 3M admits no liability but agrees to fund water treatment upgrades. Final approval comes in April 2024.