Forever Chemicals - North Carolina's Toxic Tap Water

RALEIGH, NC - For decades, a North Carolina company dumped massive amounts of toxic chemicals into the Cape Fear River. These "forever chemicals" contaminated the river, air and groundwater surrounding the plant. The new WRAL Documentary, Forever Chemicals: North Carolina's Toxic Tap Water, debuts Wednesday, August 23 at 7:30 p.m. on WRAL.

The level of contamination to hundreds of thousands of people was discovered five years ago. Yet even today, thousands of people are still forced to use the contaminated water.

WRAL Investigative Documentary Reporter Cristin Severance co-reported on this important topic with Liz McLaughlin, WRAL's reporter covering climate change impacts and environmental issues.

“We spent months traveling to the contaminated areas and talking with the people still living with contaminated water,” said WRAL Investigative Documentary Reporter Cristin Severance.
“It’s shocking that people are still fighting to get clean water in North Carolina in 2023.”

It's one of the most pivotal contamination stories in the United States, and it is going on right here in our state.

"This documentary is an example of WRAL's dedication to covering crucial environmental topics that impact thousands of North Carolinians yet remain underreported," said WRAL Enterprise Executive Producer, Ashley Talley. "I'm so proud of the collaboration between our documentary team, including Cristin Severance and new award-winning photojournalist Dwayne Myers. Along with Liz McLaughlin, our climate change reporter, who shines a light on these issues year-round. This documentary is an important story that needs to be told."

The latest WRAL Doc, Forever Chemicals, shows how this contamination happened and highlights demands from families who want to know if drinking toxic water for years has led to health problems including cancer and birth defects.

Documentary Investigative Reporter: Cristin Severance
Documentary Videographer/Editor: Dwayne Myers
Co-Reporter: Liz McLaughlin
Additional Videography: Jay Jennings
Graphics: Shan Zhong

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