The Greater Augusta Utility District in Maine has filed a federal lawsuit seeking to recover costs associated with PFAS contamination in local drinking water sources.
The case names five companies connected to current or former paper and packaging operations along the Kennebec River.
Filed on October 7, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maine, the lawsuit names Sappi North America, Huhtamaki, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, American Tissue Corporation and American Tissue Mills of Maine.
The proceedings concern four industrial sites: Sappi's Somerset Mill in Skowhegan, Huhtamaki's molded fiber packaging facility in Waterville, and former Kimberly-Clark and American Tissue facilities in Winslow and Augusta, respectively.
The utility alleges that industrial discharges associated with these operations contributed to PFAS contamination affecting groundwater connected to the Kennebec River. It is seeking compensation for past and future monitoring, treatment and remediation expenses. The allegations have not been established in court.
Water treatment measures
According to data published by the Greater Augusta Utility District, a combined water sample collected from its two Riverside wells on November 4, 2024, showed a total concentration of 23.3 parts per trillion (ppt) for six monitored PFAS compounds, exceeding Maine's drinking water limit of 20 ppt.
The wells were taken out of service later that month. The district subsequently installed a PFAS treatment system costing approximately $2 million.
Testing conducted on September 11, 2026, showed no detectable levels of the six monitored compounds in a combined water sample from the Riverside station. The affected water supply has since returned to service.
Companies outline their positions
In comments published this week, Sappi indicated that it was reviewing the complaint and maintained that its operations comply with applicable environmental regulations and discharge permits. The company also stated that it does not knowingly use PFAS-containing materials in its products.
Huhtamaki has also acknowledged the complaint and indicated that it is reviewing the allegations. The company intends to respond through the legal process and defend its position.
PFAS have historically been used in certain paper and packaging applications to provide resistance to grease, moisture and heat. Their persistence in the environment continues to raise questions about wastewater management, legacy contamination and the allocation of treatment costs.
The Maine case illustrates the complexity of determining responsibility for PFAS contamination where multiple industrial sites and potential sources are involved. The legal proceedings remain at an early stage, with no judicial determination of liability.
