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ENDICOTT, N.Y. (WBNG) — The Village of Endicott is suing International Business Machines or IBM. In a statement, the village said it is seeking accountability for the contamination that led to the closing of drinking wells.
According to court documents, the village is suing for comprehensive environmental response, compensation, and liability under the Liability Act, Public Nuisance, Failure to Warn, Negligence, Trespass, and Punitive Damages.
The village alleged that IBM contaminated the water supply well with hazardous substances, including, but not limited to, 1,4-dioxane and PFAS, both toxic chemicals.
The village accused IBM of having sufficient reason to know that its actions would lead to groundwater contamination, pollution of water wells and cause a threat to the health and welfare of Endicott residents.
In a statement to 12 News, IBM Manager of Communications Sarah Minkel said, “IBM’s more than 40 years of remediation activities in Endicott, in partnership with the village and state, demonstrates our longstanding commitment to the health and safety of the community’s residents. There is no justification for the demands being made by the Village of Endicott in this matter, and IBM will vigorously defend itself.”
The Village of Endicott Mayor Nick Burlingame commented on the efforts to remediate the water infrastructure.
“While our drinking water supply is monitored daily and is safe for consumption, our water sources have been reduced to a single well due to contamination, which is unacceptable for our residents and businesses,” Burlingame said. “This litigation seeks to ensure IBM takes responsibility for the resources and restorations to our water wells which are necessary to protect public health.”
The village said construction of an additional well in the Town of Union is coming in the new year.
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