3M Class Action Claims Company Knowingly Contaminated Georgia's Water Supply, PFAS Lawsuit Filed By 5 Cities

Five Georgia cities filed a federal class action lawsuit in February 2026 alleging 3M knowingly contaminated Georgia’s water supply with PFAS, the toxic “forever chemicals” that never degrade and have infiltrated drinking water systems statewide. The cities claim 3M was the sole US manufacturer of PFOS until 2002 and deliberately sold these hazardous chemicals into Georgia for decades while hiding health risks from residents.

What’s At Stake: $12.5 Billion National Settlement Deadline Looming

3M agreed to pay up to $12.5 billion to support PFAS remediation for public water utilities in a separate nationwide settlement approved in 2024. However, Phase 2 water systems must file a claim no later than January 1, 2026, to be compensated for their PFAS baseline testing.

Critical Deadlines Already Passed: If your Georgia water system hasn’t filed yet, you’ve missed the January 1, 2026 testing reimbursement deadline. But there’s still time—Phase 2 systems must file by July 31, 2026 for treatment costs under the 3M settlement fund.

The 5 Georgia Cities Fighting Back

Georgia cities Blakely, Cartersville, Chatsworth, Meigs and Pelham filed a class action lawsuit against 3M Company in US District Court for the Middle District of Georgia (Case No. 1:26-cv-00008-LAG).

The lawsuit argues “3M knew that it was selling tons of PFAS into Georgia, where they were contaminating wastewater-treatment facilities, surface water, groundwater, farmland, and, ultimately, people”.

This isn’t 3M’s first rodeo. The company agreed to pay a $1.5 million civil penalty in 2006 for failing to disclose the health risks and environmental persistence of PFAS after the EPA forced them to phase out PFOS and PFOA in 2000.

Where Georgia’s Water Contamination Comes From

PFAS contamination in Georgia stems from multiple industrial sources working together to poison your drinking water:

Carpet Manufacturing Hub: Carpet factories around Dalton, GA, (the Carpet Capital of the World) treated flooring with PFAS. Shaw Industries, Mohawk Industries, and other carpet titans used these forever chemicals to make water- and stain-resistant flooring for decades.

Chemical Manufacturing: DuPont and 3M operations near Rome, GA resulted in a $100 million settlement for PFAS contamination discovered at those facilities.

Military Bases: Georgia hosts Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine installations across the state. The extensive use of PFAS and other chemicals on Georgia’s military installations makes them significant contributors to local environmental contamination through AFFF firefighting foam used for decades.

Just like claimants in the Camp Lejeune Lawsuit 2026, 409K Claims Stuck, $530M Paid Out In Settlements, First Trials Finally Star New Push For Justice, Georgia residents exposed to PFAS-contaminated water face serious health consequences including cancer, thyroid disease, and immune system damage.

What PFAS Does To Your Body

PFAS are called “forever chemicals” because they never break down naturally. Once they enter your body through drinking water, they accumulate in your blood and organs.

PFAS are linked to a wide range of health risks, including cancer (kidney and testicular), liver and thyroid problems, immune system suppression, and abnormal fetal development.

The EPA decided to regulate six toxic PFAS chemicals commonly found in drinking water for the first time in 2024. The new standards set maximum contamination levels of 4 parts per trillion for PFOA and PFOS—the same chemicals 3M manufactured and sold throughout Georgia.

3M Class Action Claims Company Knowingly Contaminated Georgia's Water Supply, PFAS Lawsuit Filed By 5 Cities

How Much Money Is Available?

For water utilities participating in the national 3M settlement, allocations per impacted source may range from several hundred thousand dollars to tens of millions depending on PFAS Score and Adjusted Flow Rate.

A single contaminated water source with high PFAS levels can generate over $5 million in settlement allocation. Systems with multiple affected sources qualify for substantially larger recovery amounts.

Here’s what matters for individual residents: if you developed cancer, thyroid disease, or ulcerative colitis after drinking PFAS-contaminated water in Georgia, you may qualify for personal injury claims separate from the water utility settlements.

Similar to how the 23andMe Class Action Lawsuit Payout 2026, $30 Million Settlement Pays Up To $10,000 works, individual damages in PFAS cases can reach thousands or tens of thousands depending on your medical costs and harm suffered.

Who Qualifies For Individual PFAS Claims

You may have a personal injury claim if:

You Lived In An Affected Area: If you lived in an area with certain levels of PFAS in its drinking water and developed a qualifying illness, you may be able to file a lawsuit.

You Served At Military Bases: If you were stationed at military bases for more than 6 months, you may also qualify, even if you didn’t develop illness yet.

Qualifying Illnesses: Judge Gergel has shifted focus to recognizing PFAS exposure in drinking water as a cause of Kidney Cancer, Testicular Cancer, Thyroid Disease, and Ulcerative Colitis in the federal PFAS litigation.

Recent Georgia PFAS Legal Developments

June 2025: North Georgia families sue major manufacturers and chemical makers like Shaw Industries, Mohawk Industries and 3M for contaminating local water supplies with PFAS.

February 2025: The City of Savannah sues PFAS polluters for funds to pay for the added treatment needed to remove these chemicals, filing against 65 companies including paper mills, carpet makers, and chemical manufacturers.

January 2025: Legislation is filed in Georgia to shield certain companies that handle PFAS from liability from lawsuits in certain conditions—though this legislation had not been enacted as of July 2025.

What To Do Right Now

Check Your Water: Contact your local water utility to request PFAS testing results. Georgia law requires regular monitoring and public disclosure of contamination levels.

Document Your Exposure: If you lived in affected areas, gather proof of residency (utility bills, leases, mortgage statements) showing how long you drank contaminated water.

Get Medical Records: If you’ve been diagnosed with kidney cancer, testicular cancer, thyroid disease, or ulcerative colitis, request complete medical records documenting your condition.

Act Fast On Deadlines: Water utilities face a July 31, 2026 deadline to file treatment cost claims in the 3M settlement. Individual personal injury claims have different statute of limitations depending on when you discovered your illness.

Critical Questions Answered

What is PFAS and why is it dangerous?

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are synthetic chemicals used in thousands of products from firefighting foam to food packaging. They’re called “forever chemicals” because they never break down, accumulating in your body and causing cancer, thyroid disease, and immune system damage.

Am I eligible to file a PFAS lawsuit against 3M?

You may qualify if you lived in Georgia areas with documented PFAS water contamination and developed kidney cancer, testicular cancer, thyroid disease, or ulcerative colitis. Military service members stationed at Georgia bases for over 6 months may also qualify even without illness diagnosis yet.

What is the deadline to join the 3M Georgia water contamination lawsuit?

The class action filed by the five Georgia cities is in early litigation stages with no claim deadline yet. However, individual personal injury claims have statute of limitations typically 2-6 years from when you discovered your illness. Don’t wait—contact an attorney immediately to preserve your rights.

How much money can I get from a PFAS lawsuit?

Individual PFAS personal injury settlements have ranged from thousands to hundreds of thousands depending on illness severity, medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The $12.5 billion 3M settlement is primarily for water utilities, but residents can file separate personal injury claims for direct damages.

Do I need a lawyer for a PFAS claim?

Yes. PFAS litigation is highly technical, requiring expert testimony about water contamination levels, exposure duration, and medical causation linking PFAS to your specific illness. Mass tort attorneys handle these cases on contingency—you pay nothing unless you win.

What evidence do I need to prove PFAS exposure?

Essential evidence includes proof of residency in contaminated areas (utility bills, leases), water quality reports showing PFAS levels from your utility, medical records documenting qualifying illnesses, and timeline showing you lived there before diagnosis. Your attorney can help obtain official water testing data from EPA and state records.

Are Georgia’s military bases contaminated with PFAS?

Yes. PFAS contamination has been suspected or confirmed at all of Georgia’s military installations, including Fort Benning (now Fort Moore), Robins Air Force Base, Fort Stewart, Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany, and Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay. Testing has detected PFAS levels far exceeding EPA safety recommendations.

Last Updated: February 14, 2026

Disclaimer: This article provides informational content only and does not constitute legal advice. PFAS exposure claims require evaluation by qualified mass tort attorneys.

Next Steps: Contact a PFAS litigation attorney immediately if you developed cancer, thyroid disease, or ulcerative colitis after drinking contaminated water in Georgia. Document your residence history and gather medical records now.

Stay informed, stay protected. — AllAboutLawyer.com

About the Author

Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
Her writing blends real legal insight with plain-English explanations, helping readers stay informed and legally aware.
Read more about Sarah

3M Class Action Claims Company Knowingly Contaminated Georgia’s Water Supply, PFAS Lawsuit Filed By 5 Cities