NEWARK, DE — Artesian Resources Corporation (Nasdaq: ARTNA) will issue bill credits to tens of thousands of Delaware water customers after receiving approximately $7.2 million from a national class-action settlement with 3M over PFAS contamination in public drinking water systems.
The Delaware Public Service Commission approved the refund plan, with support from the state’s Public Advocate. Under the decision, active Artesian Water Company customers as of Dec. 1, 2025, will receive a credit of about $73, which will appear on upcoming water bills beginning in December.
The settlement stems from widespread contamination by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS — a class of long-lasting industrial chemicals used for decades in products ranging from firefighting foam to stain-resistant fabrics and nonstick cookware. PFAS have been detected in drinking water nationwide, prompting new regulations and costly treatment efforts by utilities.
“Artesian has always placed the highest priority on delivering safe, reliable water to our customers,” said Nicki Taylor, the company’s chair, president and CEO. She said the utility began testing for and treating PFAS long before federal standards were issued and emphasized that customers should not shoulder the full burden of PFAS remediation. “It is appropriate that those responsible for the contamination are held accountable,” she said.
The settlement credits will help offset the substantial investments Artesian has already made to safeguard the water supply. PFAS chemicals, known for their persistence in the environment, can accumulate in groundwater and drinking water systems after decades of industrial and commercial use.
Artesian said it will continue pursuing long-term solutions to protect public health, even as federal and state agencies advance new regulations aimed at curbing PFAS exposure.
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