Residents of Denmark, South Carolina, have reached a $1 million water pollution case settlement in a class-action lawsuit over the city’s use of an unauthorized chemical in its drinking water supply. The chemical, not approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), was introduced into a municipal well, raising serious concerns about contaminated drinking water, water quality, and the safety of the local water system. Following deductions for legal fees and associated costs, approximately $600,000 will be distributed to affected residents, with reimbursement amounts based on water usage and billing records; unlike individual lawsuits or personal injury lawsuits, this class settlement compensates residents through usage records rather than personal injury damages. People with personal injuries from contaminated water may also pursue individual lawsuits through separate legal proceedings.
Bakari Sellers, an attorney with Strom Law Firm and a native of Bamberg County in South Carolina, played a pivotal role in representing the residents. Expressing his commitment to the community, Sellers stated, “This settlement is a step toward justice for the people of Denmark who were unknowingly exposed to harmful substances in their water. It’s about accountability and ensuring such oversights don’t happen again.” For residents affected by water contamination, community members concerned about public health, and legal professionals following environmental justice and the legal system, the case shows how legal actions can force accountability when a municipal water supply is put at risk.
This case is part of a broader national focus on water safety, particularly concerning the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often referred to as “forever chemicals,” synthetic chemicals that do not break down in the environment and are closely tied to contaminated drinking water concerns in public water supplies and other water supplies. These PFAS chemicals have been linked to carcinogenic and endocrine-disrupting health risks, including liver damage and thyroid problems in humans, and PFAS litigation has produced substantial settlements and other legal actions against major chemical companies. The Safe Drinking Water Act was enacted in 1974 to protect water quality in public water systems and public water supplies. In 2023, public water systems secured over $11 billion in substantial settlements, including 3M’s $10.3 billion PFAS settlement and DuPont’s $1.18 billion settlement. Those settlement funds often support advanced treatment upgrades for water providers to reduce long-term exposure and improve water quality.
Strom Law Firm, L.L.C., established in 1996 by former U.S. Attorney Pete Strom, has built a strong reputation for advocating on behalf of individuals and communities across South Carolina. With its main office in Columbia, the firm handles a wide range of legal matters, including personal injury, criminal defense, civil rights, and class action lawsuits. One of its prominent attorneys, Bakari Sellers—a Denmark native and former state legislator—has been instrumental in representing clients in high-profile cases, such as the Denmark water contamination lawsuit. Together, the Denmark SC settlement, Sellers’ role, the unauthorized chemical in the local drinking water, and the wider PFAS settlement and water safety landscape give readers a practical case review of how communities use the legal system to respond to unsafe levels in public water systems and protect public health.