Documentary tracks nine year battle over North Carolina water contamination

The discovery of industrial chemicals in North Carolina drinking water has triggered a decade long fight over liability and public health. A new documentary, GENX: The Saga of Forever Chemicals, examines the timeline of that discovery and the ongoing effort to trace the source of contamination in the state.

The film focuses on the detection of GenX in water drawn from the Cape Fear River. The chemical, used in manufacturing nonstick coatings, was linked to discharges from a facility near Fayetteville now operated by Chemours. The revelation in 2017 exposed a problem that had persisted for multiple generations without public knowledge.

GenX is part of the PFAS group of synthetic chemicals, often called forever chemicals because they break down slowly in the environment. These substances are used in products from stain-resistant fabrics to firefighting foam. Health links to certain PFAS include increased risks of cancer and immune system effects. The contamination discovery led to lawsuits and calls for stricter drinking water protections.

Director Eli Yetter-Bowman, who grew up in Wilmington, has a personal stake in the story. He and his mother were exposed to contaminated water and both have autoimmune diseases. While it is unclear if PFAS caused their illnesses, the experience motivated him to document the health impacts on the community. He noted that the severity of the issue was devastating to witness after years of hidden exposure.

The documentary features interviews with Gov. Josh Stein, who served as attorney general during much of the investigation, and environmental attorney Robert Bilott. Actor Mark Ruffalo, who portrayed Bilott in the film Dark Waters, also appears. The filmmakers used puppetry from the Paperhand Puppet Project in Saxapahaw to illustrate the history of the contamination and potential solutions for a cleaner future.

The scope of the issue extends beyond North Carolina. An Environmental Working Group analysis of federal and state data found that nearly 197 million Americans are served by water systems where PFAS have been detected. This figure is approximately 23 million higher than previous estimates. The increase reflects expanded testing and does not necessarily indicate worsening contamination or that systems exceed federal limits.

The Environmental Protection Agency established nationwide drinking water limits for several PFAS in 2024. The limits include 4 parts per trillion for PFOA and PFOS. The agency has announced plans to reconsider some of these regulations. In North Carolina, legal action and investments in water treatment have driven efforts to reduce exposure, with improvements seen in Wilmington's water treatment.

The premiere of the film coincides with new concerns in Saxapahaw. Testing conducted this summer found PFOA and PFOS above federal limits at all six locations in the community water system. The source of that contamination remains unknown. Yetter-Bowman said the documentary aims to show that community involvement helps drive change and that the issue is solvable through collaboration.

The screening takes place Friday, Nov. 13, at the Haw River Ballroom in Saxapahaw. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the film begins at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $24 and are available online. A question and answer session with the filmmakers and environmental advocates will follow the screening.