To our Neighbors and Friends,
Within days of receiving a letter about potential PFOA in the groundwater near our Cherry Hill facility, we began working diligently to investigate the situation and keep our community informed. Today, we want to share an update on the significant progress we have made in our site investigation and the steps ahead.
Although Gore only purchases fluoromaterials from suppliers that have signed on to the EPA PFOA Voluntary Stewardship Program, data collected to-date has defined an area of limited impact in the immediate vicinity of our Cherry Hill facility and informed our proposed approach to remediation. As investigations continue at Cherry Hill and at other Gore facilities in coordination with state regulators, we are working in parallel to initiate the next phase: remediation at the Cherry Hill site. Additional details are outlined below.
Our Work To-Date
We have worked extensively with the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) to investigate the source and extent of the issue. A team of Gore and external experts focused first on Cherry Hill, and later expanded to other facilities, collecting extensive data to better understand the potential impact of our historical operations on the nearby groundwater. We set out to identify impacted areas around our facilities – and understand where PFOA is prevalent and at what concentration. Much of this information has been posted on our website.
The results have helped us focus our efforts and move forward with confidence and care, guided by science as the foundation for responsible decision-making. Here is a high-level summary of our extensive investigation efforts thus far:
- Collected 400+ groundwater samples across 230+ locations in Cecil County to identify where PFOA is present and at what concentration.
- Installed 100+ monitoring wells across Gore facilities, including 30+ near the Cherry Hill site, to track groundwater conditions over time.
- Sampled 95+ residential water sources and provided immediate support measures to those neighbors, including bottled water and Point of Entry Treatment (POET) systems.
- Mapped groundwater flow in three directions to determine potential migration pathways and target remediation efforts effectively.
- Worked closely with the Maryland Department of the Environment on sampling plans, data review, and regulatory alignment.
In June 2025, we submitted an Interim Remedial Action Plan to MDE that outlines our approach to remediate groundwater at our Cherry Hill site. This marked a key milestone in our ongoing environmental stewardship and collaboration with the state. Since that time, we have remained in close coordination with MDE, installing additional wells at their direction and conducting additional sampling and testing to validate our findings. We are encouraged by this progress and are confident that our findings support our proposed course of action.
In 2026, while continuing the site investigation at the facility, Gore is poised to begin remediation activities at Cherry Hill in collaboration with state regulators. The primary approach to remediation will be a ‘pump and treat’ groundwater remediation technology, which captures groundwater, treats it onsite, and discharges it after testing confirms it meets permitting criteria. This proven method is widely used and is designed to limit further spread of PFOA and reduces concentrations over time. While all the work will occur on Gore property, we will coordinate with MDE and local officials to finalize our proposed plan, obtain approval on the necessary permits, manage construction logistics, schedule work during appropriate hours, and make every effort to minimize potential disruption to our neighbors.
As a longstanding member of community, we are committed to upholding our legacy of responsible environmental stewardship. As we continue our site investigation work and move toward the construction of a remediation system at Cherry Hill, we remain focused on meaningful action that supports Cecil County as a desirable community to live and work.
Sincerely, W. L. Gore & Associates
