The City of Summerville is changing its legal representation in a federal lawsuit involving chemical contamination of the city’s drinking water supply, a case that has been underway for more than five years. During its October City Council meeting, Mayor Harry Harvey Hughes and council members approved ending the city’s representation by attorney Andy Davis, who had been working with the Rome law firm Brinson, Askew and Berry. Davis is now with another law firm, and the city has decided to continue with Brinson, Askew and Berry. Council members unanimously approved the change, with a motion by Councilman Joe Money Jr., seconded by Councilman Zach Martin. The legal action centers on contamination of Raccoon Creek, the primary source of Summerville’s municipal drinking water, by chemicals commonly known as PFAS, or forever chemicals. The lawsuit began in February 2021 when Summerville resident Earl Parris Jr. filed a federal class-action case. The City of Summerville joined the litigation in March 2022, seeking to recover expenses associated with treating contaminated water and protecting the city’s water supply. The case alleges that chemicals used in textile manufacturing entered wastewater handled by the Town of Trion’s treatment system. Sewage sludge containing those chemicals was subsequently spread on agricultural land in the Raccoon Creek watershed, allowing contamination to reach the creek. Among the companies still facing claims are 3M, Daikin America, DuPont and…
*This content (including text, artwork, graphics, photography, and video) was provided by the third party(ies) as referenced above. Any rights or other content questions or inquiries should be directed to such third-party provider(s).
