Brunswick Beacon, 07.25.24
For over 10 years, I worked for an organization with a main objective to bring clean water to developing nations. When I moved to Brunswick County, I became painfully aware that clean water is not just an issue for distant lands, but an urgent concern for me and my neighbors.
We are facing a water emergency. We have heard practically nothing from our commissioners about continued delays at the Northwest treatment plant, as it blows past deadlines. Even if Northwest came online tomorrow, many of our neighbors would still lack access to clean water. The 211-treatment plant does not have the ability to remove PFAS. So, we should assume as the old Ragu commercial says, “it’s in there.” If and when Northwest does come online, many communities will receive its reverse-osmosis purified water blended with water from 211, reintroducing poisoned water into distribution lines.
Commissioners have issued no additional plan for clean water throughout Brunswick County. Instead, they point fingers at lawsuits, at DEQ — anyone but themselves. Commissioner Williams visited the Capitol recently while a PFAS bill was presented, but issued no statement of support. That’s not leadership, it’s a field trip.
Leadership would ask: What’s happening at the Northwest plant? “Pandemic supply issues” is an expired excuse.
What’s the plan for ALL residents? No one should be forced to use poisoned water. What’s the immediate plan to overhaul 211 WP? When will we see a press conference urging state and federal elected officials to call for immediate source control? The appropriate amount of PFAS in our source water is 0. Full stop.
What is the plan to address our beaches closest to the Cape Fear River? Brunswick County receives a lot of economic revenue from tourism. What happens when word gets out that bubbly foam coating some beaches is toxic?
Our water is an existential threat. Real leadership would draw attention to this and demand change. Brunswick County residents deserve answers. They deserve clean water. They deserve leadership.
Jonathan Damico
Leland
NOTE: Jonathan Damico is one of our slate of three Democratic candidates running for Brunswick County Commissioner. The other two candidates are Bob Fulton and Tom Simmons. Vote for all three for change! Jonathan is running against Republican incumbent Frank Williams. Learn more about Jonathan HERE.
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