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Last updated on Tuesday, August 21, 2012
(BEDFORD) - The city of Bedford will receive a portion of a $105 million litigation settlement funded by Syngenta.
The settlement involves several communities where water systems were contaminated with the herbicide Atrazine.
Plaintiffs had argued that Atrazine, used extensively by Midwestern corn growers to prevent weeds, had leeched over time into their water systems.
Under the terms of the agreement Syngenta expressly denied liability and the plaintiffs acknowledge that they are not aware of any new scientific studies relating to Atrazine.
Approximately 2,000 water districts in the U.S. may be eligible to make a claim.
The Bedford Board of Works Monday, gave City Attorney Greg Pittman permission to file a claim for a portion of the settlement.
According to Pittman the city will be reimbursed for the additional costs of chemicals and manpower to treat the water contaminated by the Atrazine.
Utility Director Misty Adams says the city had to use additional carbon to treat the water to remove the Atrazine and that the city's cost increased because of it.
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